NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 97-43-GA Ronald W. Crenshaw, P-22815, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming Tri-County Hearing Panel #11's Order of Revocation and Restitution.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective October 7, 1997. Regarding a matter in which respondent was substitute counsel for the plaintiff, and in which an order was entered permitting plaintiff's original counsel and firm ("the firm") to withdraw from the case and imposing an attorney's lien in favor of the firm, the panel found that respondent failed to promptly notify the firm of his receipt of settlement funds; failed to promptly pay to the firm the funds to which it was entitled; failed to honor the court ordered lien; failed to maintain all attorney fees in a trust account pending a determination of the amount to which the firm was entitled; misappropriated the funds to which the firm was entitled; and failed to be forthright in his answer to the Request for Investigation.
Regarding a personal injury settlement for which respondent's partner had power of attorney for the plaintiff, the panel found that respondent withdrew, or caused to be withdrawn, or took part in the withdrawal of over $200,000 from trust accounts established on the plaintiff's behalf and misappro- priated or took part in the misappropriation of that sum; failed to report to the AGC his partner's misappropriation; and knowingly made a misrepresentation in his answer to the Request for Investigation.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (6); MCR 9.113(A); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(a)-(c); 8.1(a); 8.3(a); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law be revoked; that he make restitution to the plaintiff in the second matter, jointly and severally with his former partner, in the amount of $440,000 plus interest; and if an order is entered in the first matter awarding fees to the firm, that he make restitution of those fees as ordered.
Respondent filed a petition for review. In an order issued December 30, 1997, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the panel's Order of Revocation and Restitution. Costs were assessed in the total amount of $2022.90.