MEMBERS REV. MICHAEL MURRAY CHAIRPERSON JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMIN/STRATO R
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD ANNA FRUSHOUR
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147 PHONE: 313·963·5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION
Case No. 19-7-GA
Notice Issued: June 5, 2019
Tyler James Boyd, P 74950, Jenison, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kent County Hearing Panel #3.
Suspension - 180 Days, Effective May 31, 2019
Based on respondent's default and upon consideration of the exhibits presented and respondent's admissions, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in his representation of a client for whom he hired to file an application for Permanent Residency with the Department of Homeland Security U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The panel found that respondent handled a legal matter without preparation adequate in the circumstances, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (b); 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 legal matter and respond promptly to reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a matter to the extent necessary for the client to remain reasonably informed regarding the status of a matter, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); failed to refund an unearned attorney fee paid in advance, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); and made a false statement of material fact to a client or third party, in violation of MRPC 4.1. Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(3); and MRPC 8.4(b).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of 180 days and that he be required to pay restitution in the amount of $3,195.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,073.30. a Mark A. Armitage Executive Director