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 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMIN/STRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
Case No. 16-17-GA Notice Issued: September 2, 2016 Thomasine Jefferson, P 42872, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #2.
1 . Suspension - 30 Days 2. Effective September 1, 2016 The respondent and the Grievance Administratorfiled an amended stipulation for a consent order of discipline, in accordance with MCR 9.11S(F)(S), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. The stipulation contains respondent's admissions to the allegations that she committed professional misconduct as the result of her improper use of an IOlTA account from June 2013 though November 2013.
Based upon respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent held funds other than client or third person funds in an IOlTA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(a)(3); failed to hold property of her clients or third persons separate from her own and in an IOlTA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); deposited her own funds into an IOlTA in an amount more than reasonably necessary to pay financial institution charges or fees, in violation of MRPC 1.15(f); and engaged in conduct in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, in violation of MRPC 8.4(a). In entering this finding of misconduct, the panel acknowledges the statement contained in paragraph 6d of the stipulation for a consent order of discipline that respondent did not improperly use, convert, or misappropriate client funds.
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 30 days and that respondent be required to pay $3,192 to a judgment creditor. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1 ,671.31. - .~Qc;:r~
Mark A. Armitage
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Dated: September 2, 2016