MEMBERS LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD CHAIRPERSON ALAN GERSHEL VICE-CHAIRPERSON REV. DR. LOUIS J. PRUES SECRETARY PETER A. SMIT LINDA M. ORLANS
JASON M. TURKISH ANDREAS SIDIROPOULOS, MD KATIE STANLEY TISH VINCENT
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
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 —
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
PHONE: 313-963-5553
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
Case No. 22-36-GA Notice Issued: November 2, 2022 David R. Fantera, P 40305, Brighton, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Genesee County Hearing Panel #1
Suspension - 30 Days, Effective November 30, 2022 Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order 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 professional misconduct by improperly using his IOLTA account as a business account into which he deposited and maintained earned funds, and that by doing so, he effectively shielded those funds from federal and state tax authorities and/or other creditors to whom he owed payment.
Based upon respondent’s admissions as set forth in the parties’ stipulation, the panel found that respondent held funds other than client or third person funds in an IOLTA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(b)(3); failed to hold property of his clients or third persons separate from his own, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); and deposited his own funds into an IOLTA in an amount more than reasonably necessary to pay financial institution service charges or fees, in violation of MRPC 1.15(f). The panel also found that respondent violated MCR 9.104(2) 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 30 days, effective November 30, 2022, as agreed to by the parties. Costs were assessed in the amount of $800.66.