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 ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case No. 17 -22-GA Notice Issued: September 5,2017
Barbara E. Maurer, P 41925, Midland, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-Valley Hearing Panel #2.
Suspension - 120 Days, Effective September 1,2017. The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. The stipulation contained respondent's admission that on the basis of the default, the allegations in the formal complaint were deemed admitted and that respondent committed acts of professional misconduct by neglecting a client matter, failing to
respond to a request for investigation, and practicing law while suspended from the practice of law
for nonpayment of dues owed to the State Bar of Michigan.
Based upon respondent's default and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to her, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of the client, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence
and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); engaged in the practice of law in Michigan in violation of the regulation of the legal profession, being Rule 4(C) of the Rules Concerning the State Bar, contrary to MRPC 5.5(a); failed to comply with the notice requirements of her suspension to her clients and the courts, in violation of MCR 9.119(A) and (B); and practiced law, contacted clients, appeared as an attorney in court, and held
herself out as an attorney while suspended, in violation of MCR 9.119(0). Respondent was also found to have violated MeR 9.104(1) and (2) an MRPC 8.4(c).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 120 days effective September 1, 2017. Respondent was also ordered to comply with conditions subject to the relevant misconduct as stipulated by the parties. Costs were assessed in the amount of $898.06.
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Mark A. Armitage Executive Director