MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DERWIELE
CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
STATE OF MICIDGAN
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1410
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITION (By Consent)
Case No. 18-29-GA Notice Issued: May 1, 2018 Renee L. Hickey-Niezgoda, P 32843, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-Valley Hearing Panel #1.
Suspension - 90 Days, Effective May 1, 2018 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline, in accordance with MeR 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 she committed acts of professional misconduct as the result of her improper use of IOlTA accounts with Mercantile Bank and with Isabella Bank.
Based upon respondent's admissions and the stipulation ofthe parties, the panel found that respondent held funds other than client or third person funds in an IOlTA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(a)(3); failed to hold property of her clients or third persons separate from her own, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d ); and deposited her 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). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(2) and (3); 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 90 days and that she be required to attend the next presentation of the seminar titled, ''Tips and Tools for A Successful Practice," offered by the State Bar of Michigan. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1 ,708.55.
~~C2>]-, Mark A. Armitage~ Executive Director