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 MICIllGAN 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 AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITION Case No. 16-101-GA Notice Issued: February 23,2018 Ronald Thomas Bruce, Jr., P 62579, Monroe, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board, reducing Tri-County Hearing Panel #3's order of 18-month suspension to a 270-day suspension.
Suspension - 270 days, Effective June 30,2017. As alleged in the ten count formal complaint, and established by respondent's answer to the formal complaint, the evidence submitted, testimony submitted, and the admissions by respondent, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct by neglecting three client matters, violating an order from the United States Bankruptcy Court, failing to refund unearned fees, and failing to answer various requests for investigation and requests for addition information from the Attorney Grievance Commission.
The panel found that respondent failed to refund an advance payment offee which had not been earned, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d) (Counts One, Three, and Five); knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.4(c) (Count Two); failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2) (Counts One-10); failed to answer a request for investigation in conformity with MCR 9.113, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) (Counts One-Two, Four-10); and failed or refused to appear or give evidence, and to be sworn or affirmed, after being commanded by a subpoena, in violation of MCR 9.112(0)(2) (Counts One-Three, Five and 10). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1), (2), and (4); and MRPC 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of 18 months, that respondent pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $2,600.00, and that respondent comply with a condition relevant to the established misconduct. Respondent filed a petition for review requesting a reduction in diSCipline. Upon review, the Board reduced the hearing panel's order of 18-month suspension to a suspension of 270 days, effective June 30,2017. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,455.55.
~d~a~ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director