MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF
CHAIRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM VICE-CHAlRl'tRSON WILLIAM L. MATTHEWS, CPA
SECRETARY ANDREA L. SOLAK ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. 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 WEST FORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT MICHIGAN 48226·3236 PH 6 NE: 313·963·5553 FAX: 313·963-5571 WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 10-23-GA Notice Issued: August 19, 2010
John A. Watts, P 22048, Allegan, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kalamazoo County Hearing Panel #1.
1. Suspension - One Year 2. Effective August 1, 2010 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5) and 9.121 (C), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel.
Respondent pled nolo contendere to the allegations that he failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit his client to make informed decisions regarding the representation; charged an excessive and/or illegal fee; failed to explain the basis or rate of his fees; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit and misrepresentation; failed to promptly payor deliver funds that the client or third person is entitled to receive; failed to hold property of clients or third persons in connection with the representation separate from the lawyer's own property; made a false statement of material fact to a tribunal; undertook the representation of a client that was or could have been materially limited by the lawyer's responsibilities to another client or by the lawyer's own interests; knowingly acquired an ownership, possessory, security, or other pecuniary interest adverse to a client; represented another person in the same or substantially related matter in which that person's interests are materially adverse to the interests of a former client without the consent of the former client after consultation; made knowing misrepresentations of facts or circumstances surrounding a request for investigation; and knowingly failed to respond to the lawful demands for information from a disciplinary authority.
Respondent was charged with violations of Michigan Court Rules 9.1 04(A)(6); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4(b); 1.5(a); 1.5(b); 1.7(b); 1.8; 1.9; 1.15(b)(3); 1.15(b)(d); 3.3(a)(1); 8.1 (a)(2); and 8.4(b).
The parties stipulated to the entry of an order suspending respondent's license to practice law in Michigan for one year and that he pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $13,900.00. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $3,078.04.
19 2010