MEMBERS JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
KAREN D. O’DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER PETER A. SMIT
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
PHONE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR — KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL — SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR —
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER — JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY —
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT (By Consent)
Case Nos. 19-5-AI; 19-55-JC Notice Issued: July 1, 2020 James R. Datsko, P 24295, Elk Rapids, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Emmet County Hearing Panel #3.
Disbarment, Effective June 27, 2020 1 Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline per MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. The stipulation contained respondent’s admission that he was convicted, by no contest plea, of one count of causing mental harm to a child, a felony, in violation of Wisconsin Statute §948.04(1), in a matter titled People of the State of Wisconsin v James Ross Datsko, Brown County Circuit Case No. 2017-CF-000221. In accordance with MCR 9.120(B)(1), respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan was automatically suspended effective December 14, 2018, the date respondent’s no contest plea was accepted.
Based upon respondent’s conviction and his admissions in the stipulation, the hearing panel found that respondent engaged in conduct that violated a criminal law of a state or of the United States, an ordinance, or tribal law pursuant to MCR 2.615, in violation of MCR 9.104(5).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice of law in Michigan. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,704.41.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since December 14, 2018. Please see Notice of Automatic Interim Suspension issued January 19, 2019.