MEMBERS STATE OF MICHIGAN REV. MICHAEL MURRAY CHAIRPERSON JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD 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 FRUSHOUR
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147 PHONE: 313-963ยท5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIA TE COUNSEL
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRA TOR
ALL YSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPT/ONISTISECRETARY
ww.w adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION
Case No. 18-58-GA
Notice Issued: June 5, 2019
Carolyn J. Jackson, P 53018, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board increasing discipline from a 180-day suspension and restitution to a two-year suspension and restitution.
Suspension - Two Years, Effective July 26,20181
Based on respondent's default. the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in her representation of a client in a post-divorce judgment matter to prepare and file a motion to modify child support and parenting time; her failure to answer a request for investigation: and her failure to appear, when subpoenaed, to answer questions under oath.
The panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to her, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of a client, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness while representing a client,i n 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 refund an unearned advance payment of fee upon termination, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority. in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); and failed to answer a request for investigation in conformity with MCR 9.113(A), in violation of MCR 9.104(7). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and MRPC 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of 180 days and that she be required to pay restitution in the amount of $1,500.00. The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review. seeking an increase in discipline. The Attorney Discipline Board conducted review proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.118, which included a review of the whole record before the panel, consideration of the Administrators brief and the arguments presented at a review hearing conducted on December 12. 2018. On May 7,2019, an order increasing discipline from a suspension of 180 days to a two-year suspension and affirming restitution was issued by the Board. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2.059.29.
ark A. Armitage Executive Director
, Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since May 17, 2018. See Notice of Suspension And Restitution, issued July 13, 2018, Grievance Administrator V Carolyn J. Jackson. Case No. 16-131-GA.