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
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PHONE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571
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 —
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NOTICE OF REPRIMAND (By Consent)
Case No. 19-103-GA Notice Issued: April 22, 2020 Melissa C. Galang, P 69951, Livonia, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #12.
Reprimand, Effective April 15, 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 admissions to the allegations that she committed acts of professional misconduct during her handling of the disbursement of settlement funds from her IOLTA after arbitration was held in a matter titled Parker Ludy v Auto Club Group Ins Co., Wayne County Circuit Court, Case No. 12-004803-NI.
Based upon respondent’s admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent failed to promptly pay or deliver funds that a third person was entitled to receive, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); and failed to identify and appropriately safeguard other property held in her IOLTA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(a) and MCR 9.104(2) and (3).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded. Costs were assessed in the amount of $757.60.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director