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 DISBARMENT AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 20-9-GA Notice Issued: March 30, 2020 Daniel Patrick Brent, P 79240, Hazel Park, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #52.
Disbarment, Effective July 3, 2019 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Disbarment, 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 that he committed professional misconduct in his representation of six separate clients when, after he was retained, he failed to communicate with his clients; performed little to no work on their matters; failed to return the unearned fees he was paid after his license to practice law was suspended and he could no longer represent the clients; and failed to answer six requests for investigation.
Based upon respondent’s admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent neglected legal matters that were entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to keep his clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters and failed to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to take reasonable steps to protect his clients' interests upon termination of representation, including a failure to refund any advance payment of fees that were not earned, in violation of MPRC 1.16(d); knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(2); and failed to answer six requests for investigation in conformity with MCR 9.113(A)-(B)(2), in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MRPC 8.1(a)(2). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and MRPC 8.4(a) and (c).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice of law in Michigan and pay restitution in the amount of $18,650.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $820.05.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director