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 AND RESTITUTION Case No. 17-47-GA Notice Issued: September 28, 2017 Mary S. Hickey, P 36942, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #19.
Suspension - Three Years, Effective September 28,2017.1 Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in her representation of four separate clients and by failing to answer four Attorney Grievance Commission requests for investigation. The panel found that respondent handled legal matters without preparation adequate in the circumstances, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (b); neglected her clients' matters, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness on her clients' behalf, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep her clients reasonably informed regarding the status of their matters and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to adequately explain a matter to a client to the extent reasonably necessary for the client or potential client to make informed decisions regarding the representation in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); charged or collected clearly excessive fees, in violation of MRPC 1.5; failed to refund unearned attorney fees paid in advance, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information by a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); and failed to answer four requests for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(A) and (B). Respondent was also found to have violated MRPC 8.4(c); and MCR 9.104(2)-(4).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of three years. The panel also ordered that respondent be required to pay restitution in the total amount of $16,000.00 to four separate clients. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,982.69.
/~4ctJ~ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since March 23,2016. Please see Notice of Suspension and Restitution with Conditions (By Consent), issued March 23, 2016. Grievance Administrator v Mary S. Hickey, 16-4-GA