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
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 ASSOCIA TE COUNSEL
SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
ALL YSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS
Case No. 18-81-GA
Notice Issued: March 4, 2020
Arthur C. Kirkland, Jr., P 27551, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #5.
Suspension - 179 Days, Effective February 27, 2020.
After proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.115 and based on the evidence presented by the parties at the hearings held in this matter, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in the course of his representation of a client in a quiet title action and his attempts to assist the client in redeeming her property. The panel found that respondent had no legal basis to continue to pursue claims that had already been dismissed.
The panel found that respondent violated MRPC 3.1 by not offering a good-faith argument for an extension, modification or reversal of existing law in repeated proceedings over the course of many years and before many courts; and failed to pay sanctions that were contained in a final, enforceable order of the court, in violation of MRPC 3.4(c). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(a).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of 179 days, that he pay restitution in the amount of $3,960 and that he be subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2,916.84. a
Mark A. Armitage Executive Director