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 RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITION (By Consent)
Case Nos. 17-76-GA; 17-127-GA Notice Issued: June 4, 2018 Sean Liles, P 55377, Traverse City, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Grand Traverse County Hearing Panel #1.
Suspension - 3 Years, Effective June 1, 2018. The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a 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. Based upon respondent's admissions to the factual statements and to the allegations of professional misconduct contained in both formal complaints and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct.
Specifically, the panel found that respondent deposited his own funds in a client trust account in an amount more than reasonably necessary to pay financial institution charges or fees or to obtain a waiver of service charges or fees, in violation of MRPC 1.15(f); failed to provide a full and fair explanation of the cause of an overdraft and how it was corrected, in violation of MRPC 1.15A(f); in connection with a disciplinary matter, knowingly made a false statement of material fact, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a); knowingly misrepresented facts and/or circumstances surrounding a request for investigation, in violation of MRPC 9.104(6); made a misrepresentation in his answer to the request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.113(A); failed to fully and fairly disclose all facts and circumstances pertaining to the alleged misconduct in his answer to the request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.113(A); signed and served two subpoenas without filing a notice of appearance and without providing a copy to the opposing counselor party, in violation of MCR 2.506 and MCR 9.104(4); in representing a client, used means that had no substantial purpose other than to embarrass, delay, or burden a third person, or used methods of obtaining evidence that violated the legal rights of that person, in violation of MRPC 4.4; and knowingly made a false statement of material fact to a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.3(a)(1). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(a)-(c) and MCR 9.104(1 )-(4).
June 5, 2018
STATE OF MICHIGAN. ATIORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
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The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of 3 years and that respondent be subject to a condition relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $933.47. M. ark . a Armit lagel ..~/- Executive Director