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 MICIDCAN 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 ADMINISTRATOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF ORDER OF DISBARMENT AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITION Case No. 18-23-GA Notice Issued: July 6, 2018 Angela Kathleen Howell, P 70129, Warren, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #103.
Disbarred, Effective July 6, 2018 Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct when, after being suspended from the practice of law for 180 days, effective August 1, 2016, she held herself out as an attorney available to represent clients; met with and accepted money to handle two eviction matters for a client; failed to advise a client that she was currently suspended from the practice of law; approximately two months after their first contact, she stopped communicating the client; failed to do the work for which she was hired; failed to return the documents and other materials that were given to her; failed to return the money that was paid to her and failed to answer a request for investigation.
The panel found that respondent neglected a matter entrusted to her, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of the client, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep the client informed of the status of the matter and comply promptly with reasonable requests for investigation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to refund the unearned portion of an advance fee, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); failed to answer a request for investigation or complaint in conformity with MeR 9.113 and 9.115(D), in violation of MCR 9.104(7); violated of an order of discipline, in violation of MCR 9.104(9); practiced law while suspended, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(1); and held herself out as an attorney by any means while suspended, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(4). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1 )-(4); and MRPC 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice of law in Michigan. In addition, the panel ordered that respondent be required to pay restitution in the amount of $2,050.00 and that she return any and all documents that were given to her, as well any as keys or any physical things in her possession belonging to the client. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,975.25.
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