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 SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 18-1-GA Notice Issued: June 8, 2018 Joseph Bernwanger, P 71895, Dearborn Heights, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #4.
Suspension - 30 Days, Effective June 8, 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 representing two separate clients in bankruptcy matters.
Based upon respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent neglected two legal matters entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); and failed to keep two clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 30 days and that he be required to pay restitution to two complainants in the total amount of $2,600.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1 ,229.79.
Mark A. Armitage Executive Director