MEMBERS JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
KAREN D. O’DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER PETER A. SMIT
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 FAX: 313-963-5571
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITION (By Consent)
Case Nos. 20-26-GA; 20-27-JC Notice Issued: May 18, 2020 James L. Galen, Jr., P 43406, Clinton Township, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #5.
Suspension - 120 Days, Effective August 1, 2020 Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for 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. The stipulation contained respondent’s admission that he was twice held in criminal contempt, and that he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor violations of use of a controlled substance, cocaine, in three separate matters. The stipulation further contained respondent’s admission that he neglected a client’s driver’s license restoration appeal by failing to file the appeal with the Michigan Secretary of State; and, neglected another client’s criminal matter by failing to appear for two hearings in a row.
Based on respondent’s conviction, admissions, and the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct by engaging in conduct that violated a criminal law of a state or of the United States, an ordinance, or tribal law pursuant to MCR 2.615, in violation of MCR 9.104(5); neglected a legal matter, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); and failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure that his nonlawyer staff complied with the rules of professional conduct, in violation of MRPC 5.3(b). Respondent was also found have violated MRPC 8.4(a) and (c); and MCR 9.104(1)-(4).
In accordance with the original stipulation of the parties, and a later filed stipulation to modify the effective date of respondent’s suspension, the hearing panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 120 days, effective August 1, 2020, that he be subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct, and that he pay restitution totaling $1,750. Costs were assessed in the amount of $883.96.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director