MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
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 ADMINISTRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITION Case Nos. 17-35-JC; 17-36-GA Notice Issued: September 19,2017 Lisa 8eazley Phillips, P 48119, Tecumseh, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline 80ard Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #3.
Disbarred, Effective September 19, 20171 Respondent was convicted, by guilty plea, of embezzlement by an agent or trustee greater than $1,000 and less than $20,000, in violation ofMCL 750.1744A, in People ofthe State ofMichigan v Lisa Beazley Phillips, 39th Circuit Court Case No. 15-17714-FH. In accordance with MCR 9.120(8)(1), respondent's license to practice law in Michigan was automatically suspended effective December 5, 2016, the date of respondent's felony conviction. 8ased 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 panel found that respondent neglected legal matters, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of her clients, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep her clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain legal matters to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the clients to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); failed to refund the payment of fees that have not been earned, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); made a false statement of material fact to a third person in the course of representing a client, in violation of MRPC 4.1; knowingly failed to respond to lawful demands for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); and failure to answer three requests for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(A) and (8)(2). Respondentwas also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(3); and MRPC 8.4(b) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice law in Michigan. The panel also ordered that respondent be required to pay restitution in the total amount of $22,196.00 to three complainants. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1 ,972.39.
~a~ Mark A. Armitage
Executive Director
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since December 5,2016. Please see Notice of Automatic Interim Suspension, issued April 14,2017.