The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board has ordered a second two-year suspension of John Lawrence McDonough (P68576) of Three Rivers, Michigan, following a criminal conviction and multiple failures to comply with disciplinary obligations.
The suspension is effective January 11, 2027, and will be served consecutively to a prior two-year suspension already in effect.
🔗 Michigan Court Rules – Chapter 9 (Attorney Discipline, including MCR 9.115 and MCR 9.120)
🔗 Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (PDF)
Case Overview
- Respondent: John Lawrence McDonough, P68576
- City: Three Rivers, Michigan
- County: St. Joseph
- Case Numbers: 25-43-JC; 25-44-GA
- Notice Issued: December 1, 2025
- Discipline: Two-Year Suspension
- Effective Date: January 11, 2027
Underlying Conduct
The Grievance Administrator filed a combined notice of filing of judgment of conviction and formal complaint, alleging professional misconduct arising from both a criminal conviction and subsequent noncompliance with disciplinary requirements.
The notice of conviction alleged that Mr. McDonough was convicted by guilty plea of Operating While Intoxicated, Second Offense, a misdemeanor, in violation of MCL 257.625(6)(b), in:
People of the State of Michigan v. John Lawrence McDonough
3B District Court, St. Joseph County
Case No. 24-1950-SD-1
The accompanying formal complaint alleged that Mr. McDonough:
- Failed to report his criminal conviction to the Grievance Administrator
- Failed to answer a Request for Investigation
Mr. McDonough did not file an answer to the complaint. A default was entered.
Rules Violated
Based on respondent’s default, the hearing panel found violations of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct and Michigan Court Rules, including:
- MRPC 8.1(a)(2) – Failure to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority
- MRPC 8.4(a) – Violating or attempting to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct
- MRPC 8.4(c) and MCR 9.104(1) – Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice
- MCR 9.104(2) – Conduct exposing the legal profession or courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach
- MCR 9.104(3) – Conduct contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals
- MCR 9.104(4) – Conduct violating professional standards adopted by the Supreme Court
- MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(B)(2) – Failure to answer a Request for Investigation
- MCR 9.120(A)(1) – Failure to report a criminal conviction within 14 days
Discipline Imposed
The hearing panel ordered that:
- Mr. McDonough’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for two years, effective January 11, 2027
- Costs of $1,795.82 be assessed
The order specifies that this suspension will be served consecutively to a prior two-year suspension effective January 11, 2025, imposed in Grievance Administrator v. John Lawrence McDonough, 24-27-MZ; 24-45-GA.
Why This Matters
This case illustrates how criminal convictions combined with noncooperation significantly compound disciplinary consequences. Michigan’s discipline system treats the failure to report convictions and respond to investigations as serious, independent misconduct, often resulting in stacked or consecutive suspensions rather than concurrent discipline.
The result is a prolonged removal from practice driven not only by the underlying offense, but by continued disregard for regulatory obligations.
