MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF
CHAJRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM VICE· CHAIRPERSON ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D.
SECRETARY WILLIAM L. MATTHEWS ANDREA L. SOLAK CARL E. VER BEEK CRAIG H. LUBBEN JAMES M. CAMERON, JR. SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
JENNIFER M. PETTY LEGAL ASSISTANT
211 WESTFORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE; 313-963-5553 FAX; 313-963-5571
WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (Pending Appeal)
Case No. 09-80-GA Notice Issued: September 22, 2011 Rochelle J. Thompson, P 65997, Flint, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Genesee County Hearing Panel #4.
1. Suspension - 35 Months 2. Effective September 14, 2011 Respondent filed an answer to the formal complaint and appeared at the hearing. Based on the testimony and exhibits presented, the panel found that respondent had committed professional misconduct in an adoption matter when she failed to provide competent representation; handled a legal matter which she knew or should have known that she was not competent to handle without associating with a lawyer who was competent to handle it; neglected a matter entrusted to her; counseled her clients to engage in conduct she knew was fraudulent or illegal; failed to keep her clients reasonably informed about the status of their matter and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information; and failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit her clients to make informed decisions regarding the representation. Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(3) and (4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1; 1.1 (a); 1.1 (c); 1.2(c); 1.4(a) and (b); and 8.4(a) and (b) and the panel ordered the respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 35 months.
Respondent filed a petition for review and request for stay of discipline. On August 2, 2011, the Attorney Discipline Board issued an order granting respondent's motion for stay of discipline on an interim basis. On August 23, 2011, after consideration of respondent's petition for stay of discipline, together with the Grievance Administrator's response and respondent's further reply, the Board denied respondent's petition for stay and ordered that the interim stay be terminated. The Board further ordered that respondent's suspension from the practice of law in Michigan would be effective September 14, 2011.
The matter has been scheduled for hearing before the Attorney Discipline Board.
Bolt . EP 22:2011