MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF CHAiRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM VICE-CHAJRPERSON WILLIAM l. MATIHEWS, CPA
SECRETARY ANDREA l. SOLAK ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. CARL E. VER BEEK CRAIG H. LUBBEN
JAMES M. CAMERON, JR. SYLVIA P. WHITMER, PhD
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOlT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
JENNIFER M. PETIY LEGAL ASSISTANT
211 WEST FORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE,313-963-5553 FA)" 313-963-5571
WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
Case No. 08-121-GA Notice Issued: January 8, 2010
John F. Mertz, P 25200, Lansing, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #5.
1. Suspension - 120 Days 2. Effective January 7,2010 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 pled no contest to the aliegations in the second amended formal complaint that he failed to treat ali persons involved in the legal process with courtesy and respect; failed to provide written notice of his suspension to ali clients within seven days of the effective date of the order of discipline; failed to file, with the tribunal and ali parties, a notice of his disqualification from the practice of law by the effective date of the order; held himself out as an attorney during the period of suspension; filed an affidavit pursuant to MCR 9.123(A) that contained statements that were misleading; and failed to file an answer to a request for investigation served upon him by the Grievance Administrator, in violation of MCR 9.1 04(A)(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); MCR 9.119(A), (B) and (E); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 6.5(a); 8.1 (a); and 8.4(a)-(c).
Pursuant to the agreement of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 120 days. Costs were assessed in the amount of$1,187.79.
John F. Van Bolt Dated:_1_dA_N_-_8_2_01--,,-O__