MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DER WIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
STATE OF MICHIGAN 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 RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case Nos. 16-19-JC; 16-20-GA Notice Issued: September 1,2017 Craig A. Tank, P 58360, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #3.
Suspension - 179 Days, Effective September 1, 2017 The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for a consent order of 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 admission that he was convicted of contempt of court, in People of the State of Michigan v Craig Arthur Tank, 40th District Court Case No. DC14011 OSM; and admissions to the factual and misconduct allegations set forth in the Second Amended Formal Complaint that he committed professional misconduct in his representation of eight separate clients.
Based on the parties' stipulation, respondent's conviction, and his admissions in the stipulation, the panel found that respondent failed to diligently represent the interests of his clients, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c), and MRPC 1.3; failed to seek the lawful objectives of his clients, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to keep his clients reasonably informed as to the status of their proceedings or provide explanations of the matter reasonably necessary to permit the clients to make informed decisions concerning the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a) and (b); failed to deposit advanced fees into a client trust account and misappropriated client funds, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d) and (g); failed to provide a timely and accurate accounting of his fees and costs to his clients, in violation of MRPC 1.15( c); failed to make clear to an unrepresented person that he was not disinterested, and failed to undertake reasonable efforts to correct the misunderstanding, in violation of MRPC 4.3; and engaged in conduct that violated the criminal laws of the State of Michigan, in violation of MCR 9.104(5). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(2)-(4) 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 179 days. Additionally, the panel ordered that respondent be subject to conditions that he attend the seminars offered by the State Bar of Michigan entitled "Tips and Tools for a Successful Practice" and "Lawyer Trust Accounts: Management Principles &Record Keeping Resources." Costs were assessed in the amount of $7,473.53.
~~. Mark A. Armitage ~