MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DERWIELE CHAIRPERSON LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. REV. MICHAEL MURRAY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
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 RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (Pending Appeal)
Case No. 15-120-GA Notice Issued: September 13,2016
Mark W. Stepek, P 40976, Clinton Township, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #106.
1. Suspension - 30 Days. 2. Effective September 8, 2016. Respondent filed an answer to the formal complaint and appeared at the hearing. Based on respondent's admissions and plea of no contest, the hearing panel found that he committed professional misconduct as the result of his improper use of an IOlTA account.
The panel found that respondent held funds other than client or third person funds in his IOlTA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(a)(3); failed to hold property of his clients or third persons separate from his own and in an IOlTA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(2) and (3) and MRPC 8.4(a) and (b).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 30 days. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,072.99. The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review on September 6, 2016, seeking an increase in discipline. Therefore, this matter will be scheduled for hearing before the Attorney Discipline Board.
Mark A. Armitage Dated: September 13, 2016