MEMBERS STATE OF MICHIGAN REV. MICHAEL MURRAY CHAIRPERSON JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD VlCE·CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD ANNA FRUSHOUR
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
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMIN/STRA TOR
ALLY SON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case No. 18-84-GA
Notice Issued: November 15, 2018
Jonathan S. Baker, P 45707,S t. Clair Shores, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #101.
Suspension - 179 Days, Effective November 14,2018
The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for 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. The stipulation contained respondent's admissions that he committed acts of professional misconduct as the result of his improper use of an IOLT A account from January though April 2018.
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 IOL TA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(a)(3); and deposited his own funds into an IOL TA in an amount more than reasonably necessary to pay financial institution service charges or fees, in violation of MRPC 1.15(f). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(2) and (3); and MRPC 8.4(a).
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 and that he be required to attend the next presentation of the seminars titled "Lawyer Trust Accounts: Management Principles and Recordkeeping Resources" and "Tips and Tools for A Successful Practice" offered by the State Bar of Michigan. Costs were assessed in the amount of $780.33.