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 ADMINISTRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 16-136-GA Notice Issued: May 19,2017 Matthew John Stephens, P 74424, Okemos, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #6.
Suspension - 180 Days, Effective May 19, 2017.1 Based on respondent's default, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct by neglecting a client's misdemeanor matter; neglecting another client's civil claim; failing to appear on behalf of three separate clients at two hearings and one status conference; and by failing to answer a request for investigation.
The panel found that respondent neglected legal matters entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of his clients through reasonably available means permitted by law and the rules of professional conduct, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his clients, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to communicate with his clients regarding the status of their legal matters, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a matter to the extent necessary to permit the clients to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); failed to hold property of a client in connection with a representation separate from his own property, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); failed to deposit unearned fees paid in advance in a client trust account, in violation of MRPC 1.15(g); failed to return unearned attorney fees and other funds paid in advance to clients upon termination of the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.4( c); 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 (b) and MCR 9.104(1)-(4).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for a period of 180 days. The panel also ordered restitution totaling $2,800.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,782.66. /1,,~~,a~
Mark A. Armitage Executive Director
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since January 26,2017. Please see Notice of Interim Suspension Pursuant to MeR 9.115(H)(1), issued January 26,2017.