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 Case No. 20-1-GA Notice Issued: June 8, 2020 Michael R. Honeywell, P 70342, Ionia, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kent County Hearing Panel #4.
Suspension - 365 Days, Effective March 17, 2020 Based on respondent’s default, the hearing panel found that he committed professional misconduct in his representation of a client in a civil matter filed against an adjacent properly owner seeking damages for trespassing and conversion.
The panel found that respondent handled a legal matter without preparation adequate in the circumstances, in violation of MRPC 1.1(b); failed to seek the lawful objective of a client through reasonably available means, in violation of MRPC 1.2; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness when representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep a client reasonably informed regarding the status of a matter, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); and failed to explain a matter to a client to the extent reasonably necessary for a client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(2) and (3).
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law be suspended for a period of 365 days, effective retroactively to March 17, 2020, the date respondent’s license to practice law was suspended pursuant to MCR 9.115(H)(1), and that he be required to pay restitution in the amount of $19,516.89. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2,152.56.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director