MEMBERS JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY KAREN D. O’DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER PETER A. SMIT ALAN GERSHEL LINDA M. ORLANS
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR — KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL — SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR —
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER — JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY —
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
PHONE: 313-963-5553
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 20-55-GA Notice Issued: March 17, 2021 Walter H. Czeizler, P 12429, Farmington Hills, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #63.
Suspension - 180 Days, Effective March 10, 2021 1 Based on respondent’s default, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct while representing a client in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy matter; and when he failed to answer a request for investigation within the time prescribed or to appear, when subpoenaed by the Grievance Administrator, for a sworn statement.
The panel found that respondent handled a legal matter without preparation adequate in the circumstances, in violation of MRPC 1.1(b); neglected a legal matter, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to seek the lawful objective of a client through reasonably available means, in violation of MRPC 1.2; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness when representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep a client reasonably informed regarding the status of a matter, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a matter to a client to the extent reasonably necessary for a client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); charged and collected a clearly excessive fee, in violation of MRPC 1.5; failed to answer a request for investigation within the time prescribed, in violation of MCR 9.104(7), MCR 9.113(A), and MCR 9.113(B)(2); and knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(2). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(2)-(4) and MRPC 8.4(c).
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law be suspended for a period of 180 days and that he pay restitution in the total amount of $2,065.00. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $1,778.20.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since January 21, 2021, based on his failure to appear at the January 14, 2021 public hearing. See Notice of Interim Suspension Pursuant to MCR 9.115(H)(1), issued January 27, 2021.