MEMBERS REV. MICHAEL MURRAY CHAIRPERSON JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH
VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD ANNA FRUSHOUR
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OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
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www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITION
Case No. 19-26-GA
Notice Issued: August 28, 2019
Jason P. Ronning, P 64779, Hudsonville, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ottawa County Hearing Panel #1.
Suspension - 30 Months, Effective August 15, 2019.1
Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct when he practiced law while his license was suspended; neglected a client matter and failed to return a retainer fee paid by the client; failed to abide by a court order by failing to pay a money judgment entered against him; and failed to respond in a timely fashion to several Requests for Investigation from the Attorney Grievance Commission.
The panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, 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 keep a client reasonably informed about the status of their matter and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4; failed to timely refund an unearned fee and surrender papers to which the client is entitled, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.4(c); made a false statement of material fact to a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.3(a)(1); practiced law while not licensed to do so, in violation of MRPC 5.5(a); knowingly failed to timely respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or violation of the criminal law, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b); failed to timely answer a Request for Investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7), MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); practiced law in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(1); had contact with clients, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(2); appeared as an attorney before a court or judge, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(3); and held himself out as an attorney, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(4). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(a) and (c); and MCR 9.104(1) -(4).
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since December 28,2017. See Notice of Suspension, Grievance Administrator v Jason P. Ronning, Case No. 17- 130-MZ, issued January 2, 2018.
August 28, 2019
STATE OF MICHIGAN. ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
Page 2
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of 30 months, that he be required to pay restitution in the amount of $10,000.00, and that he be subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount Of J14 7.9.0. . !Wt.a / Mark A. Armitage Executive Director