The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board has ordered a two-year suspension of Angelina Cummins (P78867) of Southfield, Michigan, effective September 26, 2025, and required her to pay $6,000 in restitution following findings of professional misconduct in a post-divorce custody and/or support matter.
The discipline followed proceedings conducted under Michigan Court Rule 9.115, which governs attorney discipline hearings.
Background: Default and Failure to Cooperate
According to the notice, Cummins failed to file an answer to the formal complaint. Her default was entered on April 15, 2025, by the Grievance Administrator.
Following evidentiary hearings, Tri-County Hearing Panel #55 found that Cummins committed professional misconduct both during her representation of a client in a post-divorce custody and/or support matter and by failing to respond to disciplinary authorities.
Cummins had previously been placed on interim suspension on August 7, 2025, after failing to appear for the misconduct hearing.
Misconduct Findings
Based on Cummins’s default and the evidence presented, the hearing panel found violations of multiple provisions of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct and Michigan Court Rules, including:
- Neglect of a client matter, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c).
- Failure to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, in violation of MRPC 1.3.
- Failure to keep a client reasonably informed and respond to requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a).
- Failure to expedite litigation, in violation of MRPC 3.2.
- Failure to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(2).
- Violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct, in violation of MRPC 8.4(a) and MCR 9.104(4).
- Conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b).
- Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MRPC 8.4(c) and MCR 9.104(1).
- Conduct exposing the legal profession or courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2).
- Conduct contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3).
- Failure to answer a request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2).
Panel Order and Sanctions
The hearing panel ordered that:
- Cummins be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for two years, effective September 26, 2025.
- Cummins pay restitution in the amount of $6,000.00.
- Cummins pay costs totaling $2,001.74.
What This Means
Extended suspensions coupled with restitution are imposed when misconduct causes direct harm to clients and is compounded by noncooperation with the disciplinary process. Default judgments and failure to appear significantly increase disciplinary consequences.
This case underscores that family law matters, particularly those involving custody and support, carry heightened ethical obligations due to their direct impact on clients and children.
