MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1410
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313·963·5553 I FAX: 313·963·5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 18-65-GA Notice Issued: September 5, 2018 Keith T. Murphy, P 29864, White Lake, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #67.
Disbarment, Effective September 5, 2018 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 that he committed acts of professional misconduct, including practicing law during the period of his suspension when he met with a client, accepted a retainer, sent correspondence on his client's behalf in which he held himself out as an attorney, and made false statements in response to a request for investigation.
Based upon respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent practiced law in a jurisdiction in violation of the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction, in contrary to MRPC 5.5(a); knowingly made a false statement of material fact in connection with a disciplinary matter, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(1); knowingly made a misrepresentation of facts or circumstances surrounding a request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(6) and MCR 9.113(A); practiced law after the period of his suspension, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(1); had contact, in person, by telephone, and by electronic means, with clients, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(2); and held himself out as an attorney, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(4). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(3) and (9); and MRPC 8.4(a)-(c).
I n 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 to one complainant in the amount of $1,000.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $757.83.
~~rk a~· A. Armitage Executive Director