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: 313ยท963-5571
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 RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF DISBARMENT Case Nos. 16-88-GA Notice Issued: February 17, 2017 Duane S. Weed, P 25634, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #19.
Disbarred, Effective February 17, 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 relation to his involvement as administrator of a probate estate and for his failure to answer a request for investigation.
The panel found that respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness on a client's behalf, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to hold property of a client separate from his own property and failed to adequately safeguard client property, and in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); failed to deposit unearned fees paid in advance in a client trust account, in violation of MRPC 1.15(g); failed to return unearned attorney fees and other funds paid in advance to the client upon termination of the representation, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); knowingly disobeyed an order under the rules of a tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.4(c); engaged in conduct which involved dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, and/or the violation of the criminal law, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b); engaged in conduct that exposed the legal profession to obloquy, contempt, censure, and/or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2); engaged in conduct that was contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3); violated or attempted to violate the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, in violation of MRPC 8.4(a) and MCR 9.104(4); and failed to answer a request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(A) and (B).
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since October 31,2016. Please see Notice of Interim Suspension Pursuant to MeR 9.11S(H)(1), issued November 1, 2016.