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
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
AMENDED NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (As to Effective Date) (Pending Review)
Case No. 1S-29-GA Notice Issued: October 28,2016 Richard A. Meier, P 38204, Novi, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #80.
1. Suspension - Two Years 2. 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 review hearing in this matter is scheduled for December 14, 2016.
Mark A. Armitage Dated: October 28,2016