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 ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 17-4-GA Notice Issued: August 7,2017 Marcellus Long, Jr., P 43630, Pontiac, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #70.
Suspension - One Year, Effective August 5,2017. Based on respondent's default for failure to answer the complaint and the exhibits offered into evidence by the Grievance Administrator, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in his representation of three separate clients: in a personal injury matter arising out of a motor vehicle accident, a third-party auto negligence matter, and a probate estate; failing to answer a request for investigation; and failing to appear, when subpoenaed, to answer questions under oath on two different occasions.
The panel found that respondent neglected legal matters, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of his clients through reasonably available means, in violation of MRPC 1.2; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness on his clients' behalf, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep his clients reasonably informed regarding the status of their legal matters and respond promptly to reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to refund an unearned fee paid in advance, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); and failed to answer a request 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(a); and MCR 9.104(2)-(4).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of one year and that respondent pay restitution of $650.00 to Complainant Bonita Green. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,874.28.
~qO-/b Mark A. Armitage Executive Director