FINAL NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 99-098-GA Issued: September 1, 2000 Ronald P. Derocher, P-35042, Mancelona, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board, increasing discipline from 180 day suspension issued by Grand Traverse County Hearing Panel.
1) Suspension - 4 Years; 2) Effective November 19, 1999. The hearing panel found that the allegations in the formal complaint were established by preponderance of the evidence, to wit, respondent misappropriated funds of an estate and failed to proceed with the probate matter for over five years. In another matter, respondent failed to deposit unearned fees into a client trust account, converted the fee to his personal use and failed to take any action on his client=s behalf.
Respondent=s conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.15(a)-(c); 1.16(d) and 8.4(a)- (c). The panel ordered that respondent=s license be suspended for 180 days and that he make restitution to the complainant in the amount of $250.00.
The Grievance Administrator and respondent filed petitions for review. On August 10, 2000, the Attorney Discipline Board issued an order increasing respondent=s discipline to a four year suspension. Costs were assessed in the amount of $639.47.