MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DERWIELE 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: 313-963ยท5553 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. 17-81-GA Notice Issued: November 29,2017 Jeffery A. Cruz, P 60284, Lansing, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #2.
Suspension - Two Years, Effective November 29,2017. Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in his representation of a client in a custody and child support matter. The panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to act with reasonable diligence while representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep a client reasonably informed regarding the status of a legal matter and respond promptly to reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a matter to a client to the extent reasonably necessary for a client to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation ofMRPC 1.4(b); knowingly failed to respond to lawful demands for information by a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); failed to answer two requests for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(A) and (B); and failed to provide timely notice of a suspension to a client, in violation of MCR 9.119(E). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(c); and MCR 9.104(1 )-(3).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of two years. The panel also ordered that respondent be required to pay restitution to Complainant Greeman in the amount of $450; and that respondent would be required to take and pass the Michigan Professional Responsibility Exam prior to petitioning the Attorney Discipline Board for reinstatement. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,779.17.
Mark A. Armitage Executive Director