MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF
CHAIRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM VICE-CHAIRPERSON WILLIAM L. MATTHEWS, CPA
SECRETARY ANDREA L. SOLAK ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. CARL E. VER BEEK CRAIG H. LUBBEN
JAMES M. CAMERON, JR. SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIREOOR
MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIREOOR
JENNIFER M. PETTY LEGAL ASSISTANT
211 WEST FORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571
WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
FINAL NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 10-70-GA Notice Issued: August 16, 2011 William L. Fette, P 13397, Kalamazoo, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board vacating Kalamazoo Hearing Panel #2's order of a 120 day suspension and increasing discipline to revocation and affirming restitution.
1 . Revocation 2. Effective November 10, 20101 Respondent did not appear at the hearing and was found to be in default for failing to file an answer to the formal complaint. Based on respondent's default, the panel found that respondent, in a criminal matter, collected a clearly excessive fee; failed to hold property of his client in connection with representation separate from his own property; failed to deposit legal fees paid in advance into a trust account; failed to refund unearned legal fees paid in advance upon termination of representation, and failed to answer two requests for investigation served upon him by the Grievance Administrator.
Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(2)-(4) and (7); MeR 9.113(A) and (B); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5; 1.15(d) and (g); 1.16(d); and 8.4(a).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be suspended for 120 days and that he pay restitution in the amount of $7,000.00. The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review.
The Attorney Discipline Board, upon review, vacated the hearing panel's order of suspension and increased discipline to a revocation of respondent's license to practice law in Michigan, and affirmed the amount of restitution to be paid. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2,117.23.
Dated:_'AU..L....:..:;...G_· _1_6 _2O_ft_·.·. __
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since November 10, 2010_ Please see Notice of Suspension and Restitution [Pending Appeal]. issued November 10, 2010.