MEMBERS WILLIAM P. HAMPTON
CHAiRPERSON LORI McALLISTER VICE-CHAiRPERSON WILLIAM l. MATTHEWS, CPA
SECRETARY REV. IRA COMBS, JR. GEORGE H. LENNON BILLY BEN BAUMANN, M.D. HON. RICHARD F. SUHRHEINRICH WILLIAM J. DANHOF ANDREA l. SOLAK
STATE OF MICHIGAN
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIRECTOR JENNIFER M. PETTY LEGAL I\SSfST/lNT
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 WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case No. 06-92-GA Notice Issued: August 23, 2007 James P. Lavender, P 52590, Birmingham, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #55.
1. Suspension - 3 Years 2. Effective July 29, 2005 1 Respondent offered his plea of contest to the allegations that he neglected two legal matters; failed to seek the lawful objectives of those clients; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness; failed to keep those clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters; failed to refund the unearned portions of their fee advances; engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice; and engaged in conduct that exposes the legal
profession or the courts to contempt, censure, and reproach. In one of those matters, respondent also pled no contest to the allegations that he engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, and misrepresentation.
Respondent was charged with violations of MCR 9.1 04(A)(1)-(4), (7), and (9); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); MCR 9.119(A), (C), and (E); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 (c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a); 1.16(d); 5.5(a); 8.1 (a)(2); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The parties agreed that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan should be suspended for three years, retroactive to July 29, 2005, the effective date of the suspensions ordered in Grievance Administrator v James P. Lavender, Case No. 04-54-MZ (Ref. 03-33-GA), and Grievance Administrator v James P. Lavender, Case No. 04-113-GA. The parties also agreed that respondent shall pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $6,500.00. Further, respondent was ordered to comply with all of the conditions originally contained in the two previous orders of discipline. C sts were assessed in the amount of $2,113.88.
Dated: AUG 232007
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since July 29, 2005. See Notice of Suspension With Conditions (By Consent) and Notice of Suspension and
Restitution With Conditions (By Consent), issued July 29, 2005.