MEMBERS THOMAS G. KIENBAUM CHAIP,PERSON JAMES M. CAMERON, JR. .V. ICE-CHAIRPERSON ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. SECRETARY ANDREA L. SOLAK CARL E. VER SEEK CRAIG H. LUBBEN SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D
LAWRENCE G. CAMPBELL DULCE M. FULLER
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
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
NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 09-59-GA Notice Issued: November 16, 2011 Ronald G. Kraft, P 16196, Farmington Hills, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board, affirming Tri-County·Hearing Panel #72's order of revocation and restitution.
1. Revocation 2. Effective February 21, 20081 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 hearing panel found that respondent failed to explain matters to the extent necessary to permit his client to make informed decisions regarding their representation; failed to keep his clients reasonably informed regarding the status of their matters and to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information; failed to hold property of clients or third persons in connection the representation separate from the lawyer's own property; failed to notify a client when funds in which the client had an interest were received; failed to preserve complete records of such account funds; failed to promptly pay funds his client was entitled to receive and to promptly render a full accounting upon request; knowingly made a false statement of material fact to a tribunal; and knowingly failed to respond to the Grievance Administrator's demand for information. Additionally, respondent practiced law and held himself out as an attorney after the effective date of his suspension from the practice of law; failed to notify his client of his suspension; failed to file proof of compliance with the orders of discipline; violated an order of discipline; charged and collected an illegal and excessive fee; and failed to communicate with his client regarding the basis or rate of his fee. Finally, respondent held his own funds in accounts in which he was holding client funds; and deposited his own funds in a client trust account in amounts that were not reasonably necessary to pay financial institution service charges or fees.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.1 04(A)(1 )-(4) and (9); MCR 9.119(A), (C) and (E); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4(a) and (b); 1.5(a) and (b); 1.15(b)(1 )-(3); 1.15(d) and (f); 3.3(a)(1 ); 5.5(a); 8.1 (a)(1 ); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be revoked, effective February 21, 2008, the effective date of his suspension from the practice of law in Grievance Administrator v Ronald G. Kraft, Case No. 07-37 -GA, and that he pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $160,042.00.
November 16, 2011
STATE OF MICHIGAN • ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
Page2
The respondent filed a petition for review, and, on April18, 2011, after conducting a review hearing, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the hearing panel's order of suspension and restitution. Respondent filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied by the Board on May 27,2011.
On June 24, 2011, respondent filed an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court, which was denied on October 24, 2011. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2,302.12.
Dated: NOV 16 2011-
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since February 21, 2008. Please see Notice of Suspension and Restitution (Pending Appeal) issued February 26, 2008.