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 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
PHONE: 313-963-5553
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 —
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION
Case No. 20-40-GA
Notice Issued: November 24, 2020
L. David Bush, P 51870, Berkley, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #52.
Suspension - One Year, Effective November 18, 2020. Based on his default, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct during his representation of a client in connection with a petition filed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to terminate his client’s parental rights. Respondent was also found to have failed to answer two separate requests for investigation related to the representation.
The panel found that respondent handled a legal matter without adequate preparation, in violation of MRPC 1.1(b); neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain the matter to the extend reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); engaged in a conflict of interest by representing a client when that representation was materially limited by respondent’s responsibilities, in violation of MRPC 1.7(b); knowingly made a false statement of material fact to a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.3(a); engaged in undignified and discourteous conduct towards a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.5(d); in the course of representing a client, knowingly made a false statement of material fact to a third person, in violation of MRPC 4.1; knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(2); engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b); and failed to answer a request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and MRPC 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law be suspended for a period of one year. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $1,969.96.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director