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 WITH CONDITION Case No. 16-101-GA Notice Issued: August 15, 2017 Ronald Thomas Bruce, Jr., P 62579, Monroe, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #3.
Suspension - 18 Months, Effective June 3D, 2017.1 As alleged in the ten count formal complaint, and established by respondent's answer to the formal complaint, the evidence submitted, testimony submitted, and the admissions by respondent, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct by neglecting three client matters, violating an order from the United States Bankruptcy Court, failing to refund unearned fees, and failing to answer various requests for investigation and requests for addition information from the Attorney Grievance Commission.
The panel found that respondent failed to refund an advance payment of fee which had not been earned, in violation ofMRPC 1.16(d) (Counts One, Three, and Five); knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.4(c) (Count Two); failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disCiplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2) (Counts One-10); failed to answer a request for investigation in conformity with MCR 9.113, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) (Counts One-Two, Four-10); and failed or refused to appear or give evidence, and to be sworn or affirmed, after being commanded by a subpoena, in violation of MCR 9.112(0)(2) (Counts One-Three, Five and 10). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1), (2), and (4); and MRPC 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of 18 months, that respondent pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $2,600.00, and that respondent comply with a condition relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,455.55.
~ark A. t Armita Jge Executive Director
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1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law since June 30, 2017. See Notice of Suspension, issued June 30, 2017, Grievance Administrator v Ronald Thomas Bruce Jr., ADB Case No. 1S-122-GA.