MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF
CHAIRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM
VICE-CHAIRPERSON 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 PH6 NE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571 WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 09-5-GA Notice Issued: October 30,2009
Kerry Leon Jackson, P 41971 , Southfield, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #25. .
1. Suspension - 2 ~ Years 2. Effective June 24, 2008 1 Respondent appeared at the hearing but was found to be in default for failing to file a timely answer to the formal complaint. Based on that default, the hearing panel found that respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness; failed to keep a client reasonably informed of the status of a matter; failed to explain a mater to a client to the extent necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation; failed to promptly render a full accounting of funds upon the client's request; failed to surrender papers belonging to the client upon termination of the representation; failed to refund an unearned fee upon termination of the representation; practiced law in a jurisdiction where doing so violates the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or violation of the criminal law, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as lawyer; failed to notify his client in writing of his suspension within seven days of the effective date of the order of discipline; failed to file a notice of disqualification with the court by the effective date of the suspension; practiced law while his license was suspended; appeared as an attorney before the court while his license was suspended; held himself out as an attorney while his license was suspended; and failed to answer three requests for investigation.
Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.1 04(A)(1 )-(4) and (7); 9.113(A) and (8)(2); 9.119(A)-(B); 9.119(E)(1 )-(3); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3; 1.4(a)-(b); 1.15(b)(3); 1.16(d); 5.5(a); 8.1 (a)(2); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for two and half years, retroactive to June 24, 2008, to run concurrently with the suspension ordered in Grievance Administrator v Kerry Leon Jackson, Case No. 07-181-GA. The panel also ordered that respondent pay restitution in the amount of $750.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of
$2,031.77.
Dated: OCT 30 -
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since June 24,2008. Please see Notice of Interim Suspension issued June 24,2008.