NOTICE OF DISBARMENT AND RESTITUTION
Case No. 24-60-GA
Notice Issued: October 21, 2024
Brandon John Janssen, P 78132, Detroit, Michigan
Disbarment, Effective October 19, 2024[1]
After proceedings conducted pursuant to MCR 9.115, Tri-County Hearing Panel #9 found that respondent committed professional misconduct as alleged by the Grievance Administrator in a four-count formal complaint. Counts One, Two, and Three related to immigration matters, and Count Four involved respondent’s failure to timely respond to the requests for investigation related to the other three counts.
Based on respondent's default and the evidence presented by the Grievance Administrator, the panel found that respondent: neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c) (Counts One, Two, and Three); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3 (Counts One, Two, and Three); failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of the matter in violation of MRPC 1.4(a) (Counts One, Two, and Three); charged an excessive fee, in violation of MRPC 1.5(a) (Count Two); failed to take reasonable steps to protect a client’s interests upon termination, such as returning unearned fees and client files, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d) (Counts One, Two, and Three); made a false statement of fact to a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.3(a)(1) (Count Two); failed to make reasonable efforts to supervise the conduct of a nonlawyer assistant, in violation of MRPC 5.3 (Count Two); engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or violation of the criminal law, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b) (Count Two); engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MRPC 8.4(c) (All Counts); and 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 Four). The panel also found respondent’s conduct to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(3) (All Counts).
The panel ordered that respondent be disbarred, and that he pay restitution in the total amount of $14,095.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,615.11.
[1] Respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan has been continuously suspended since March 19, 2024. See Notice of Suspension & Restitution With Condition, issued March 20, 2024, in Grievance Administrator v Brandon John Janssen, 23-21-GA.