FINAL NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case Nos. 97-246-GA; 97-264-FA Notice Issued: April 2, 2001 Lance A. Fertig, P-27476, Lansing, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #3.
1) Suspension - 4 Years; 2) Effective September 9, 1999. Respondent was defaulted upon his failure to file a timely answer to the formal complaint. The hearing panel denied respondent=s motion to set aside the default and treated the default as an admission to the allegations in the complaint. The seven count complaint charged that respondent was retained to provide legal representation and supervision of his client=s financial affairs but violated his professional and fiduciary obligations by misappropriating funds belonging to the client, failing to promptly account for his client=s funds, misrepresenting the status of his client=s affairs and failing to adequately protect his client=s interests. The complaint also charged that respondent failed to answer to requests for investigation.
The hearing panel conducted separate hearings to determine the appropriate level of discipline. The panel ordered that respondent should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of 4 years, commencing September 9, 1999.
Respondent filed a motion for reconsideration and a motion for stay of discipline. Both motions were denied. Respondent next filed a petition for review and on July 31, 2000, the Board entered an order affirming the hearing panel=s order of suspension. Respondent then filed an application for leave to appeal with the Supreme Court which was denied on March 27, 2001.