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 ADMINISTRATOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITION Case No. 18-9-GA Notice Issued: September 6,2018 Marianne E. Lebeuf, P 41897, Battle Creek, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Calhoun County Hearing Panel #1.
Suspension - One Year, Effective July 27,20181 Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in her representation of three separate, unrelated divorce clients; in the handling of one former client's estate; by failing to answer three requests for investigation; and by failing to provide further information as to a fourth request for investigation.
The panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); 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); failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation ofMRPC 1.4(b); failed to deposit legal fees and expenses that were paid in advance into a client trust account, in violation of MRPC 1.15(g); upon termination of representation, failed to protect the client's interest by surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); upon termination of representation, failed to refund an unearned fee, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); failed to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the client, in violation of MRPC 3.2; failed to provide competent advice, in violation of MRPC 1.1; practiced law in another jurisdiction in violation of the regulation of the legal profession in that jurisdiction or assisted another in doing so, in violation of MRPC 5.5(a); failed to respond to lawful demands for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); and respondent failed to answer four requests for investigation in conformity with MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2), in violation of MCR 9.104(7). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1 )-(3); and MRPC 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of one year. Additionally, the panel ordered that respondent be required to pay restitution in the total amount of $5,000 and return original documents that may be in her possession to one complainant. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,128.59. ~~ Executive Director
1 On July 20,2018, the hearing panel issued an order suspending respondent from the practice law based on her failure to appear at the public hearing. That suspension went into effect on July 27,2018. Please see Notice of Interim Suspension Pursuant to MeR 9.115(H)(1), issued July 31, 2018.