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 RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF REPRIMAND WITH CONDITION (By Consent)
Case No. 16-134-GA Notice Issued: July 13, 2017 Richard T. Taylor, P 55237, Pontiac, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #79.
Reprimand, Effective July 12, 2017 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed an Amended Stipulation for 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 when he failed to surrender his former client's file to the client's criminal appellate counsel.
Based upon respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent failed to surrender papers and property to which a client was entitled, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); failed to promptly make a criminal defendant's file, including all discovery material obtained, available to appellate counsel upon request, in violation of MCR 6.005(H)(5); and failed to preserve a criminal defendant's file for at least five years after the file is disposed of in the trial court, in violation of MCR 6.005(H)(5). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1) (3).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded, along with the condition that respondent attend the seminar entitled "Tips and Tools for a Successful Practice," offered by the State Bar of Michigan by January, 12,2018. Costs were assessed in the amount of $955.06.
~c:J~ arkAArmitage Executive Director