NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITION
Case No. 23-21-GA
Notice Issued: March 20, 2024
Brandon John Janssen, P 78132, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #3
Suspension - 180 Days, Effective March 19, 2024
After proceedings conducted pursuant to MCR 9.115, the panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct during his representation of four separate clients in their individual immigration related matters, when he prepared and executed a quit-claim deed for a fifth client, and when he failed to answer requests for investigations filed by two of the clients.
Based on respondent's admissions and the evidence presented at the hearing, the hearing panel found that respondent handled a legal matter without preparation adequate in the circumstances, in violation of MRPC 1.1(b) (Counts Three, Five); neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c) (Counts Four, Five); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3 (Counts Two, Four, Five); failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and comply with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a) (Counts Two, Four, Five); 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) (Counts Three, Five); failed to hold property of clients or third persons in connection with a representation separate from the lawyer's own property, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d) (Count Four); upon termination of representation, failed to take reasonable steps to protect a client's interests, such as refunding unearned fees and client files, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d) (Counts Two, Four); made a false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal or failed to correct a false statement of fact or law previously made, in violation of MRPC 3.3(a) (Count Five); failed to make reasonable efforts to supervise the conduct of a nonlawyer assistant, in violation of MRPC 5.3 (Counts Two, Four, Five); failed to knowingly answer a request for investigation or demand for information in conformity with MCR 9.113(A)‑(B)(2), in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MRPC 8.1(a)(2) (Count Six); knowingly made a false statement of material fact or failed to disclose a fact necessary to correct a misapprehension known to him in connection with a disciplinary matter, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a) (Count Two); engaged in conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice, in violation of MRPC 8.4(c) and MCR 9.104(1) (Counts Two through Six); engaged in conduct that exposes the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2) (Counts Two through Six); and engaged in conduct that is contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3) (Counts Two through Six).
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 180 days, effective March 19, 2024, that respondent pay restitution totaling $5,275.00, and that he is subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,932.25.