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 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 RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITION Case Nos. 17-63-JC; 17-64-GA Notice Issued: November 29,2017 James R. Shaw, P 49003, Westland, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #13.
Suspension - Three Years, Effective November 29,20171 Respondent was convicted, by guilty plea, of domestic violence, in violation of MCl 750.812, in People of the State of Michigan v James Roger Shaw, 35th District Court Case No. 15T458-SM. Based on this conviction, the panel found that respondent violated the criminal laws of the State of Michigan, contrary to MCR 9.104(5). Additionally, based on respondent's default for failing to answer the formal complaint, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in his representation of a client in divorce and post-judgment proceedings at a time when respondent was suspended from the practice of law.
The panel found that respondent failed to notify all active clients of his suspension in violation of MCR 9.119(A); had contact with a client or potential client in person, by telephone, or by electronic means during the period of suspension, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(2); and held himself out as an attorney, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(4). 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 three years. The panel also ordered that, atthe time he petitions for reinstatement, respondent will be required to include an evaluation showing that he is both mentally and medically fit to practice law. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,656.75.
Mark A. Armitage Executive Director
1Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since August 2, 2017. Please see Notice of Interim Suspension Pursuant to MeR 9.115(H)(1), issued July 26,2017.