MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
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 ADMIN/STRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT Case No. 17-143-GA Notice Issued: August 28,2018 Richard A. Meier, P 38204, Plymouth, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #1.
Disbarred, Effective August 25, 20181 Based on the evidence presented by the parties at the hearings held in this matter, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in his representation of two separate clients in pursuit of legal actions against their employers and that respondent filed an affidavit of compliance that contained false statements. The panel found that respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness when representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep his clients reasonably informed regarding the status of their legal matters and failed to 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); made a false statement of material fact to a court or tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.3(a)(1); knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.4(c); and failed to provide an active client with written notice of a suspension within 7 days from the effective date of the suspension, in violation of MCR 9.119(A). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1 )-(3).
The panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice of law in Michigan. Costs in the a;df $2,675.55.
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since October 20, 2016. Please see Amended Notice of Suspension (As to Effective Date) (Pending Review), issued October 28,2016, Grievance Administrator V Richard A. Meier, Case No. 15-29-GA.