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: 313ยท963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 16-80-GA Notice Issued: December 15,2016 Joseph Edward Ernst, P 69274, Holt, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #7.
Suspension - 30 Days, Effective December 14,2016 Respondent filed an answer to the formal complaint and appeared at the public hearing. As alleged in the formal complaint, and established by the evidence and testimony submitted, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct by appearing as legal counsel and filing documents on behalf of ten different parties after being suspended from the practice of law for failure to pay disciplinary costs.
The panel found that respondent practiced law, had contact with clients, appeared in court proceedings, and held himself out as an attorney while suspended from the practice of law, in violation of MCR 9.119(E) and MCR 9.128(0); failed to timely file an affidavit of compliance, in violation of MCR 9.119(C) and MCR 9.128(0); and practiced law in Michigan in violation of the regulation of the legal profession in Michigan, in violation of MRPC 5.5(a). 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 30 days. Costs were ssessed in the of $2,743.70.