MEMBERS THOMAS G. KIENBAUM
CHAIRPERSON JAMES M. CAMERON, JR. VICE-CHAIRPERSON SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D.
SECRETARY ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. CARL E. VER BEEK CRAIG H. LUBBEN LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL DULCE M. FULLER LOUANN VAN DER WIELE
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
JENNIFER M. PETTY LEGAL ASSISTANT
211 WEST FORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT (By Consent)
Case No. 12-5-GA Notice Issued: March 26, 2013 Barbara J. Ruckes, P 44146, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #52.
1. Disbarment 2. Effective March 23, 2013 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. Respondent admitted that she failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); failed to promptly payor deliver funds that her client was entitled to receive, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); failed to appropriately safeguard client funds by holding them after deposit in an IOL TA or a non-IOL TA account, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b); knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, in violation ofMRPC 3.4(c); engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation or violation of the criminal law, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b); engaged in conduct that exposes the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2); engaged in conduct that is contrary to justice, ethics, honesty or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3); and violated or attempted to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct, contrary to MRPC 8.4(a).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice of law in Michigan. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,122.60.
John WAR 262013 Dated: _______