MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DERWIELE
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 RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITIONS Case No. 16-32-GA Notice Issued: August 17,2017 Carolyn J. Jackson, P 53018, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board, affirming Tri-County Hearing Panel #53's Order of Suspension and Restitution With Conditions.
Suspension - 60 Days, Effective August 16, 2017 Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in her representation of a client in a landlord-tenant matter and that she failed to answer a request for investigation. 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 a 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; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter or to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); and failed to answer the request for investigation in conformity with MCR 9.113(A), in violation of MCR 9.104(7). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and MRPC 8.4(a) and (c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 60 days; that she pay $500 in restitution to the complainant; that she continue to meet with her mentor; and that she undergo a review of her office practices and procedures by the State Bar of Michigan Practice Management Resource Center. Respondent filed a petition for review and request for stay and the discipline ordered by the hearing panel was automatically stayed pursuant to MCR 9.115(K). Upon review, the Board affirmed the hearing panel's order on January 31,2017. Respondent filed an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court, which was denied on July 25,2017. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2, 149.00.
~()~ Mark A. Armitage z::> Executive Director