MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE
MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
STATE OF MICInGAN 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 ADMIN/STRATOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 15-29-GA Notice Issued: November 13,2017 Richard A. Meier, P 38204, Novi, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #80.
Suspension - Two Years, Effective October 20,2016 Respondent filed an answer to the formal complaint and appeared at the hearing. Based on the evidence presented by the parties at the hearings held in this matter, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in his representation of three separate clients pursuing claims against their respective employers.
The panel found that respondent handled two legal matters without preparation adequate in the circumstances, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (b); neglected three legal matters, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness on behalf of three separate clients, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep three clients reasonably informed as to the status of their legal matters and respond promptly to reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain a legal matter to three separate clients to the extent necessary for the client to make informed decisions, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); and failed to respond to a legally proper discovery request in pretrial procedure in one matter, in violation of MRPC 3.4(d). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(2) and (3) and MRPC 8.4(b).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for two years. The respondent filed a petition for review and a petition for stay on September 27,2016. Respondent's request for a stay pending review was granted on an interim basis pending further consideration by the Board on October 7, 2016. After further consideration, the Board denied respondent's request for stay on October 13,2016, and the order of suspension became effective October 20,2016. The Attorney Discipline Board has conducted review proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.118, including review of the evidentiary record before the panel, consideration of the parties' briefs and arguments presented by the parties at the review hearing. The Board affirmed the hearing panel's order of a two-year suspension of respondent's license to practice law.
~. a M1a A. Armitage Executive Director