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 ADMINISTRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
Case No. 17 -92-GA Notice Issued: May 9,2018 Joel Mendoza, P 69557, Lansing, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #1.
Suspension - 30 Days, Effective May 9, 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 admission that he committed acts of professional misconduct in his representation of a client who retained him to file an application to correct a military record.
Based upon respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, 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 reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep the client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and failed to comply with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a matter to the extent necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions about the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); failed to surrender papers and property which the client is entitled to receive, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); and failed to refund an advance payment of fee which has not been earned, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1 )-(3).
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. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,088.29.