MEMBERS JAMES M. CAMERON, JR.
CHAIRPERSON LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER
SECRETARY ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D.
SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D LOUANN VAN DER WIELE MICHAEL MURRAY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
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
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMIN/STRA TOR
JENNIFER M. PETTY PARALEGAL
KATHLEEN PHILLIPS CASE MANAGER ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST
ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITION (By Consent)
Case Nos. 16-87- GA; 16-96-GA Notice Issued: June 20, 2017
Gary W. Jones, P 56072, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #2.
Suspension - 90 Days, Effective June 15, 2017. The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. The stipulation contains respondent's admission that he committed acts of professional misconduct in his representation of three clients in criminal matters and one client in a moving violation matter; that he failed to provide additional information to the Grievance Administrator regarding a request for investigation; filed a late answer to another request for investigation; engaged in discourteous and undignified conduct toward a tribunal; and failed to answer a request for investigation.
Based upon respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent failed to represent a client competently, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (a); failed to prepare a legal matter adequately under the circumstances of the case, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (b); neglected legal matters entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing clients, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain the matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); failed to preserve a client or secret of his client, in violation of MRPC 1.6(b)(1) and (2); failed to refund an
unearned fee, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); failed to abide by the rules of tribunals, in violation of MRPC 3.4(c); engaged in discourteous and undignified conduct toward a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.5(d); failed to respond to lawful demands for information from a disciplinary authority, in
violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); and failed to answer a requests 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), (2) and (4); and MRPC 8.4(a)-(c).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 90 days effective June 15, 2017. In addition, the panel ordered respondent pay restitution of $500.00 to Gloria Hamilton and request that his law practice be audited by the State Bar of Michigan's Practice Management Resource Center (PMRC) within 30 days of his reinstatement to the practice of law. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,164.47.
Ea~ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director