MEMBERS LOUANN VAN DERWIELE CHAIRPERSON REV. MICHAEL MURRAY VICE-CHAIRPERSON DULCE M. FULLER SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN JONATHANE.LAUDERBACH BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
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 ADMINISTRATOR ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 16-78-GA; 16-79-JC Notice Issued: January 9,2017 Wilfred Eric Steiner, P 58631, Livonia, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #22.
Disbarred, Effective January 7, 20171 Based on respondent's default for failure to file an answer to the formal complaint, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in his representation of nine separate clients; when he failed to maintain personal integrity through the forging of a judge's signature on court documents; when he misused his IOlTA account; and failed to respond to eight requests for investigation. The hearing panel also found that respondent was convicted of two instances of allowing an unlicensed person to drive, in violation of MCl 257.326, and of driving on a suspended license, in violation of MCl 257.9041B.
The panel found that respondent handled a legal matter without preparation adequate in the circumstances, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (b); neglected eight legal matters, in violation of MRPC 1.1 (c); failed to seek the lawful objectives of his clients through reasonably available means, in violation of MRPC 1.2(a); failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep his clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters and comply promptly with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failed to explain the matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the clients to make informed decisions regarding the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.4(b); held funds other than client or third person funds in an IOlTA, in violation of MRPC 1.15(a)(3); failed to deposit into an IOlTA all client funds and appropriately safeguard such funds, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); deposited his own funds into the IOlTA in excess of the amount necessary to pay financial institution service charges or fees, in violation of MRPC 1.15(f); withdrew from a client trust account legal fees that were paid in advance before they were earned, in violation of MRPC 1.15(g); failed to provide the Grievance Administrator a full and fair explanation of the cause of an overdraft and how it was corrected, in violation of MRPC 1.15A(f); failed to refund unearned fees upon termination of
1 Based on the arguments and evidence presented at the September 19, 2016 hearing, the panel determined, for the protection of the public, that a suspension of respondent's license to practice law should begin immediately and an interim order was issued and became effective that day. Please see Notice of Interim SuspenSion, issued September 19,2016.
January 9, 2017
STATE OF MICHIGAN. ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
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representation, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); failed to make reasonable efforts to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of the clients, in violation of MRPC 3.2; knowingly disobeyed an obligation under the rules of a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.4(c); failed to make reasonably diligent efforts to comply with a legally proper discovery request by an opposing party, in violation of MRPC 3.4(d); knowingly made a false statement of material fact or law to a third person, in violation of MRPC 4.1; failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from an admissions or disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1 (a)(2); failed to respond to eight requests for Investigation in conformity with MCR 9.113(A) and (8)(2), in violation of MCR 9.1 04(7); and 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(1 )-(3); and MRPC 8.4(b) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondent be disbarred from the practice law in Michigan. The panel also ordered that respondent be required to pay restitution in the total amount of $21 ,848.50 to seven complainants. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,277.33.
Mark A. Armitage Executive Director