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 MICIDGAN 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 SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 16-51-GA; 16-52-JC Notice Issued: January 6,2017 Matthew R. Miller, P 74612, Kalamazoo, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Kalamazoo County Hearing Panel #3.
Suspension - Two Years, Effective January 6,20171 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 his representation of six separate clients. The hearing panel also found that respondent was convicted, by guilty plea, of violating MCl 257.624A, a misdemeanor, in the 8th District Court, Case No. 14-5018-BST.
The panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of his client, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing his client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to communicate with his client, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a) and (b); failed to refund unearned fees and to surrender papers and property to which the client is entitled, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); knowingly made a false statement of material fact in connection with a disciplinary matter, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(1); failed to disclose a fact necessary to correct a misapprehension, and/or knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); failed to answer six requests for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7), MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); and violated the criminal laws of the State of Michigan, in violation of MCR 9.104(5). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(3); and MRPC 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for two years. The panel also ordered that respondent be required to pay restitution in the total amount of $15,600.00 to six complainants. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,415.17.
~a~ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director
1 On August 16, 2016, the hearing panel issued an order suspending respondent from the practice law based on his failure to appear at the public hearing. That suspension went into effect on August 23, 2016. Please see Notice of Interim Suspension Pursuant to MeR 9.115(H)(1), issued August 26,2016.