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.
STATEOFMICIDGAN 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 RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 15-122-GA Notice Issued: June 30, 2017 Ronald Thomas Bruce, Jr., P 62579, Monroe, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board, reducing Tri-County Hearing Panel #23's order of 179-day suspension to a 60-day suspension.
Suspension - 60 Days, effective June 30, 2017 Respondent appeared at the hearing, but was in default for his failure to file an answer to the formal complaint. Based on his default, the well-pled facts alleged by the Grievance Administrator were accepted as true and the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct. Specifically, respondent failed to file answers to four requests for investigation and failed to timely file answers to three other requests for investigation served upon him by the Grievance Administrator, in violation of MCR 9.113, MCR 9.115(0), and MCR 9.104(7); failed or refused to appear or give evidence, to be sworn or affirmed, or to answer a proper question after being ordered to do so, in violation of MCR 9.112(0)(2); and 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), (2) and (4), and MRPC 8.4(a) and (b).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 179 days. Respondent filed a petition for review requesting a reduction in discipline. Upon review, the Board reduced the hearing panel's order of 179-day suspension to a suspension of 60 days, effective June 30, 2017. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $1,902.53.
/~ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director