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
ANNA FRUSHOUR MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER
STATE OF MICllGl AN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATO
R
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
Case No. 19-108-GA
Notice Issued: January 7,2020
William L. Johnson, P 15552, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #107.
Suspension - 30 Days, Effective December 31,2019
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of a Thirty-Day Suspension, 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 th'at he committed acts of professional misconduct in his representation in of a client in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy matter.
Based on respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent neglected a client 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 explain a matter to a client to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); failed to promptly pay funds, to which the client is entitled to receive, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); failed to hold his client's property separate from the lawyer's own property, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); and failed to surrender paper or property or to refund the advance payment of a fee that had not been earned upon termination of the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(c) and MCR 9.104(1)-(3).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 30 days. Costs were assessed in the amount of $766.10.
Mark A. Armitage Executive Director