MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
JONATHANE.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 Case No. 16-131-GA Notice Issued: July 13, 2018 Carolyn J. Jackson, P 53018, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #66.
Suspension -180 Days, Effective May 17, 2018 After proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.115, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in her handling of her client's mother's estate; failing to notify a client of her suspension from the practice of law; failing to withdraw from a matter or otherwise notify the court that she was disqualified from representing a client on a motion; maintaining a website and telephone recording through which she continued to hold herself out to the public as an attorney during the period of her suspension from the practice of law; making materially false statements in affidavits filed with the Board; failing to answer requests for investigation; and failing to appear pursuant to subpoenas.
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 in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and failing to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to hold client property separate from her own property, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); failed to deposit legal fees and expenses paid in advance into a client trust account, in violation of MRPC 1.15(g); failed to refund the unearned portion of an advance fee, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); failed to surrender papers and property to which the client was entitled, 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); failed to answer a request for investigation within 21 days, in violation of MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2) and MCR 9.104(7); failed to notify all active clients of her suspension in writing by registered or certified mail, in violation of MCR 9.119(A); failed to file with the tribunal and all parties a notice of her disqualification from the practice of law, in a matter in which she represented a client in litigation, in violation of MCR 9.119(B); held herself out as an attorney, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(4); and filed an affidavit of compliance which contained a materially false statement, in violation of MCR 9.123(A). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1 )-(3); and MRPC 8.4(b).
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 $200.00. Respondent filed a timely petition for review and petition for a stay of diSCipline. The Board denied respondent's request for stay on May 25, 2018. Respondent failed to file a brief in support of her petition for review and the Board issued an order dismissing
~Mark A. Armitage ~ Executive Dimctor