STATE OF MICHIGAN Attorney Discipline Board
2021-Sep-07
GRIEVANCE ADMINISTRATOR, Attorney Grievance Commission,
Petitioner, v STEPHEN MICHAEL JONES, P 76182, Respondent. /
Case No. 21-45-RD
ORDER OF DISBARMENT
Issued by the Attorney Discipline Board 333 W. Fort St., Ste. 1700, Detroit, MI 48226
On July 15, 2021, the Grievance Administrator filed a Notice of Filing of Reciprocal Discipline Pursuant to MCR 9.120(C), which attached, in relevant part, a certified copy of an order entered by the Supreme Court of Florida on April 8, 2021, that immediately disbarred respondent, Stephen Michael Jones, and required him to pay restitution in the amount of $111,001.95, in a matter titled The Florida Bar v Stephen Michael Jones, SC20-1593. The notice further advised that the Grievance Administrator had no objection to the imposition of comparable discipline in Michigan: disbarment.
Under MCR 9.120(C)(1), misconduct is conclusively established and comparable discipline shall be imposed in Michigan unless it is established that respondent was not afforded due process of law in the course of the original proceeding or that the imposition of comparable discipline in Michigan would be clearly inappropriate.
On July 20, 2021, this Board entered an Order Regarding Imposition of Reciprocal Discipline, ordering the parties to inform the Board in writing, within 21 days, (i) of any objection to the imposition of comparable discipline in Michigan based on the grounds set forth in MCR 9.120(C)(1) and (ii) whether a hearing was requested.
The 21-day period set forth in the Board’s July 20, 2021 order has expired without objection or request for a hearing by either party and the Board has not been presented with any evidence to indicate that respondent was not afforded due process of law in the course of the original proceeding or that the imposition of comparable discipline in Michigan would be clearly inappropriate. Respondent is therefore deemed to be in default, with the same effect as a default in a civil action, as set forth in MCR 9.120(C)(6).
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that respondent, Stephen Michael Jones, is DISBARRED from the practice of law in Michigan EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 6, 2021, and until further order of the Supreme Court, the Attorney Discipline Board or a hearing panel, and until respondent complies with the requirements of MCR 9.123(B) and (C) and MCR 9.124.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that from the effective date of this order and until reinstatement in accordance with the applicable provisions of MCR 9.123, respondent is forbidden from practicing law in any form; appearing as an attorney before any court, judge, justice, board, commission or other public authority; or holding himself out as an attorney by any means.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in accordance with MCR 9.119(A), respondent shall, within seven days after the effective date of this order, notify all of his active clients, in writing, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, of the following:
1. 2. 3.
4.
5.
6.
the nature and duration of the discipline imposed; the effective date of such discipline; respondent's inability to act as an attorney after the effective date of such discipline;
the location and identity of the custodian of the clients' files and records which will be made available to them or to substitute counsel;
that the clients may wish to seek legal advice and counsel elsewhere; provided that, if respondent was a member of a law firm, the firm may continue to represent each client with the client's express written consent;
the address to which all correspondence to respondent may be addressed.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that in accordance with MCR 9.119(B), respondent must, on or before the effective date of this order, in every matter in which respondent is representing a client in litigation, file with the tribunal and all parties a notice of respondent's disqualification from the practice of law.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, respondent shall, within 14 days after the effective date of this order, file with the Grievance Administrator and the Attorney Discipline Board an affidavit of compliance as required by MCR 9.119(C).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent's conduct after the entry of this order but prior to its effective date, shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in MCR 9.119(D); and respondent's compensation for legal services shall be subject to the restrictions described in MCR 9.119(F).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall, on or before October 6, 2021, pay costs in the amount of $1,547.40. Please refer to the attached cost payment instruction sheet for method and forms of payment accepted.
Dated: September 7, 2021
By:
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
______________________________ Jonathan E. Lauderbach, Chairperson