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 RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 16-65-GA Notice Issued: Februa.ry 17, 2017 Sandra J. Budnick (Crutchfield), P 41087, Westland, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #2.
Disbarred, Effective February 17, 2017 1 Based on respondent's default for failure to file an answer to the formal complaint, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in her representation of clients in a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration matter.
The panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to the lawyer, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of her clients through reasonably available means permitted by law and these rules, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing her clients, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep her clients reasonably informed about the status of the matter and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the clients to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); failed to promptly payor deliver funds that the clients or third persons were entitled to receive and failed to promptly render a full accounting of client or third person funds, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); failed to hold client and third party funds in connection with a representation separate from the lawyer's funds and failed to deposit the client or third person funds into an IOLT A or non-IOL TA, and failed to appropriately safeguard such funds, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); failed to deposit in a client trust account legal fees and expenses that had been paid in advance, in violation of MRPC 1.15(g); upon termination of representation, failed to refund any advance payment of fee that had not been earned, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); misappropriated funds advanced to her by her clients for expenses and the amount of the arbitration award that was paid to her on behalf of her clients, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b); paid herself a contingent attorney fee to which she was not entitled, as she had voluntarily waived this fee after the arbitration award was made, in violation of MRPC 1.15(8)(3) and 1.16(d);
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since October 28, 2016. Please see Notice of Interim Suspension Pursuant to MeR 9.115(H)(1), issued November 1,2016.
February 17, 2017
STATE OF MICHIGAN. ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
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engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MCR 9.1 04(1) and MRPC 8.4(c); engaged in conduct that exposed the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2); and, engaged in conduct that was contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3).