MEMBERS LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD CHAIRPERSON ALAN GERSHEL
VICE-CHAIRPERSON REV. DR. LOUIS J. PRUES SECRETARY PETER A. SMIT LINDA M. ORLANS
JASON M. TURKISH ANDREAS SIDIROPOULOS, MD KATIE STANLEY TISH VINCENT
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
PHONE: 313-963-5553
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR — KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL — SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR —
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER — JODIE GROH CASE MANAGER — JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY —
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
Case No. 23-6-GA Notice Issued: June 30, 2023 Thomas C. Miller, P 17786, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #60
Suspension - 180 Days, Effective November 1, 2023 1 Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of 180-Day Suspension, 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 all of the allegations set forth in the formal complaint, the panel found that he committed professional misconduct during his representation of a client in a medical malpractice case. Specifically, respondent prepared and filed an action, but failed to advise his client regarding numerous defense motions filed and failed to respond to these motions, which were ultimately granted and the case was dismissed. When the client contacted respondent regarding the status of her case, respondent misrepresented that there was no activity and failed to tell her the case had been dismissed.
Based upon respondent's admissions as set forth in the parties' stipulation, the panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to seek lawful objectives of his client, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of her matter and failed to comply properly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); engaged in conduct involving deceit or misrepresentation, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b); engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MCR 9.104(1); engaged in conduct that exposes the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2); engaged in conduct that is contrary
1 The parties agreed that the order of suspension be effective November 1, 2023, in order to accommodate respondent’s clients and allow them to obtain substitute counsel as needed. The hearing panel found that this constituted good cause for the delayed effective date.
to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3); and engaged in conduct in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, in violation of MRPC 8.4(a) and MCR 9.104(4).
In accordance with the parties’ stipulation, the panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law be suspended for a period of 180 days, effective November 1, 2023. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $1,288.28.