MEMBERS MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. CHAIRPERSON LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD VICE-CHAIRPERSON REV. DR. LOUIS J. PRUES SECRETARY KAREN D. O’DONOGHUE MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER
PETER A. SMIT ALAN GERSHEL LINDA M. ORLANS JASON M. TURKISH
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
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MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR — KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL — SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR —
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER — JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY —
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
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NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 21-72-GA Notice Issued: June 3, 2022 James Lawrence, P 33664, Clinton Township, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #80
Suspension - 100 Days, Effective June 2, 2022 Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of 100-Day Suspension With Condition 1 , 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 he committed professional misconduct during his representation of a client in his attempt to obtain post-conviction relief from his 1983 first-degree murder conviction; and, during his representation of another client to investigate if a sufficient basis existed to file a motion for relief from judgment regarding his 1995 first-degree murder conviction.
Based upon respondent’s admissions as set forth in the parties’ stipulation, the panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of a client, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to comply promptly with a client’s reasonable request for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); upon termination of representation, failed to refund an unearned fee, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(2). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1) and (2); and 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 100 days and that he be required to pay restitution totaling $2,500.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $874.02.
1 The parties’ stipulation is titled as “With Condition,” but that condition described a payment of restitution and in order to avoid confusion the panel’s order is titled as such.