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 MICmOAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIA TE COUNSEL
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD ANNA FRUSH OUR
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
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OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRET ARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 18-147-GA
Notice Issued: July 2, 2019
Teresa A. Knight, P 58272, Flint, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Genesee County Hearing Panel #2.
Suspension - 60 Days, Effective June 26, 2019
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline, 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 that she committed acts of professional misconduct in her representation of one client in closing a probate matter; in her representation of a separate client in administering a revocable living trust; failing to respond to a request for additional information, related to a request for investigation; and failing to answer a request for investigation.
Based upon respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); upon termination of representation, failed to take reasonable steps to protect her clients' interest by giving reasonable notice to the clients, allowing time for employment of other counsel, and surrendering papers and property to which the clients were 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); 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 a request for investigation in conformity with MCR 9.113, in violation of MCR 9.10 4(7}. Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1) and (3) and MRPC 8.4(a} and (c).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 60 days; that she be required to pay restitution in the amount of $500. Costs were assessed in the amount of $884.66. a at"kAmAr itage Executive Director