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 WITH CONDITION Case No. 19-95-GA Notice Issued: October 16, 2020 Jelani Azikiwe-Konata Karamoko, P 78035, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming Tri-County Hearing Panel #10’s order of 30-day suspension and restitution with condition.
Suspension - 30 Days, Effective October 16, 2020. Respondent appeared at the hearing but was in default for his failure to file an answer to the formal complaint. Based on respondent’s default, the hearing panel found that he committed professional misconduct in his representation of a client in an action filed against her landlord and property management company and failed to answer a request for investigation filed by that client.
The panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter, in violation of MRPC 1.1(a); 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); knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information by a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(2); and failed to answer a request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(A) and (B). 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 30 days, that he pay restitution to his client in the amount of $750 and that he attend the State Bar of Michigan’s seminar entitled “Tips and Tools for a Successful Practice.” Respondent filed a timely petition for review and request for stay and the discipline ordered by the hearing panel was automatically stayed pursuant to MCR 9.115(K). Upon review, the Board affirmed the hearing panel’s order of 30-day suspension and restitution with condition. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $1,962.15.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director