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 M. FRUSHOUR
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1410
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313ยท963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF REPRIMAND Case No. 17-147-MZ (Ref 16-90-GA) Notice Issued: October 11,2018 Jeffrey G. 8ennett, P 43946, Ypsilanti, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline 80ard Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #3.
Reprimand, Effective October 6, 2018 A show cause hearing was held in this matter on the Grievance Administrator's motion to increase discipline and petition for an order to show cause why discipline should not be increased for respondent's failure to comply with Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #3's January 9, 2017 Order of Reprimand and Restitution (8y Consent). The hearing panel found that respondent failed to comply with the January 9, 2017 order by failing to timely pay the costs imposed. Respondent's failure to do so caused his license to practice law to be automatically suspended pursuant to MCR 9.128, effective February 15, 2017. The panel further found that while respondent's license to practice law was suspended, he failed to provide written notice to his clients of his suspension from the practice of law, in violation of MCR 9.119(A); failed to file with the tribunal and all parties a notice of his disqualification from the practice of law, in violation of MCR 9.119(8); failed to file a notice to withdraw or substitution of counsel, in violation of MCR 9.119(8); engaged in the practice of law while his license was suspended, in violation of MCR 9.119(E); and held himself out as an attorney while his license was suspended, in violation of MCR 9.119(E).
The panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,012.50.
~a~ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director