On Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board issued a notice regarding the cases of attorneys Donald R. Visser and Donovan James Visser, both of Kentwood, Michigan.
The notice concerns Case No. 24-79-RD for Donald R. Visser (P 27961) and Case No. 24-80-RD for Donovan James Visser (P 70847).
The central issue stemmed from reciprocal discipline proceedings initiated after the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Southern Division, found both respondents in violation of Rule 4.2(a) of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC). The District Court had issued a formal order of reprimand against each attorney.
Following the District Court’s decision, the Grievance Administrator filed a certified copy of the opinion and order, leading to the reciprocal discipline proceedings in Michigan, pursuant to Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 9.120(C). An order regarding the imposition of reciprocal discipline was served to each respondent on September 10, 2024. Both Donald and Donovan Visser subsequently filed timely objections to the imposition of discipline within Michigan.
Ingham County Hearing Panel #4 was assigned to review the matters, as per MCR 9.120(C)(3), and the respondents requested a hearing. The Grievance Administrator submitted replies to the objections on October 9, 2024. Recognizing the substantial commonalities in law and fact, the Attorney Discipline Board consolidated the two cases on December 4, 2024.
After additional briefing and proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.115, the hearing panel determined that while the District Court’s disciplinary order served as conclusive evidence of misconduct, the panel did not believe the Vissers had actually violated MRPC 4.2(a). Therefore, the panel deemed that imposing a comparable reprimand would be inappropriate.
Ultimately, the panel concluded that the consolidated cases warranted an order imposing no discipline. However, actual costs totaling $644.08 were assessed, with each respondent required to pay $322.04.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
