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 REPRIMAND AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 20-10-GA Notice Issued: July 1, 2020 Christopher J. Falkowski, P 57019, Novi, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #76.
Reprimand, Effective June 30, 2020 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline and Waiver, 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 admissions to the allegations that he committed acts of professional misconduct after he was retained to represent a client in filing a utility patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Based upon respondent’s admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent 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; and 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). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(2) and (3); and MRPC 8.4(a).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded and pay restitution in the amount of $1,000. Costs were assessed in the amount of $779.14.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director