MEMBERS MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. CHAIRPERSON LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD VICE-CHAIRPERSON REV. DR. LOUIS J. PRUES SECRETARY KAREN D. O’DONOGHUE MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER
PETER A. SMIT ALAN GERSHEL LINDA M. ORLANS JASON M. TURKISH
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
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MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR — KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL — SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR —
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
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NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION WITH CONDITION Case No. 21-81-GA Notice Issued: April 5, 2022 Ronald G. Pierce, P 77198, Hastings, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kent County Hearing Panel #3
Suspension - 1 Year, Effective December 2, 2021 1 After proceedings conducted pursuant to MCR 9.115, the panel found, by default, that respondent committed professional misconduct in his representation of a defendant in a criminal matter and when he failed to answer a request for investigation subsequently filed by that defendant.
Based on respondent’s default, and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel found that respondent neglected his client, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and failed to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to take reasonable steps to protect his client’s interests upon termination of representation, including a failure to refund any advance payment of fee that has not been earned, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); failed to give candid advice to a client, in violation of MRPC 2.1; and failed to answer a request for investigation in conformity with MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2), in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MRPC 8.1(a)(2). The panel also found violations of MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and MRPC 8.4 (c).
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law be suspended for a period of one year to run concurrently with the 180-day suspension imposed in Grievance Administrator v Ronald G. Pierce, 21-42-GA, which became effective December 2, 2021, that he pay restitution in the total amount of $600.00, and that he be subject to a condition relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,732.49.
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since August 26, 2021. Please see Notice of Interim Suspension Pursuant to MCR 9.115(H)(1), issued August 26, 2021, in Grievance Administrator v Ronald G. Pierce, 21-42-GA.