MEMBERS JAMES M. CAMERON, JR.
CHAIRPERSON CRAIG H. LUBBEN VICE-CHAIRPERSON SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D. SECRETARY ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. CARL E. VER BEEK LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL DULCE M. FULLER LOUANN VAN DER WIELE MICHAEL MURRAY
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 ADMINISTRA TOR JENNIFER M. PETTY PARALEGAL KA THLEEN PHILLIPS CASE MANAGER ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
Case No. 13-72-GA Notice Issued: March 21, 2014 Dean R. Bruza, P 38558, Plymouth, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #8. 1. Suspension - 179 Days 2. Effective March 19, 2014 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of discipline, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. Based on respondent's admissions and plea of no contest, the panel found that respondent held funds other than client or third person funds in an IOL TA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(a)(3); failed to hold property of clients or third persons in connection with a representation separate from his own property, in violation of MRPC 1.15( d); and deposited his own funds into an IOLT A in an amount more than reasonably necessary to pay financial institution charges or fees, in violation of MRPC 1.15(f). The panel also found that respondent had violated MRPC 8.4(a) and (b) and MCR 9.104(2) and (3). In entering this finding of misconduct, the panel acknowledges the statement of the parties in paragraph one of the
stipulation filed November 14, 2013, which states:
The parties agree that Respondent has not improperly used, converted, or misappropriated client funds, but that Respondent knowingly kept fees in his client trust account after they had been earned and should have been withdrawn from the account. At that time, Respondent had an outstanding financial obligation.
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 179 days. Costs were assessed in the amount of $791.59.
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