Gregory Rohl Disbarred, $659,821.44 in Toddler Wrongful-Death Settlement Funds Went Undistributed

Michigan attorney Gregory J. Rohl has been disbarred, effective October 1, 2026, after entering no-contest pleas in a professional disciplinary proceeding involving $659,821.44 in court-ordered distributions from a wrongful-death settlement. The money was intended for the surviving children of Lilliana Kerr, a 3-year-old girl killed in a 2017 preschool accident in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board case, In the Matter of Gregory J. Rohl, Case No. 26-47-GA, also requires Rohl to pay $659,821.44 in restitution and $1,446.14 in costs.

This is an attorney-discipline case, not a new settlement or class action. There is no claim form and no public compensation fund. The restitution order creates a legal obligation to pay, but it does not mean the children have already recovered the money.

Official source: The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board (adbmich.org) publishes the disciplinary record, and the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission (agcmi.org) accepts complaints about Michigan attorneys. Both are listed in the Sources section below.

Gregory Rohl Disbarment: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Attorney	Gregory J. Rohl
Michigan attorney number	P-39185
Disciplinary case	In the Matter of Gregory J. Rohl, Case No. 26-47-GA
Disciplinary authority	Michigan Attorney Discipline Board (adbmich.org)
Hearing panel	Tri-County Hearing Panel No. 101
Action	Disbarment by consent, effective October 1, 2026
Underlying matter	Wrongful-death settlement for Lilliana Kerr
Reported original settlement	About $2,500,000
Restitution ordered	$659,821.44
Costs ordered	$1,446.14
Restitution and costs combined	$661,267.58
Basis of discipline	No-contest pleas to misconduct allegations under a consent agreement
Public claim form	None
Class-action settlement	None

The $659,821.44 restitution is not a second settlement with the school or any other party. It addresses the unpaid, court-ordered distributions identified in the disciplinary matter.

What Happened to Lilliana Kerr in Dearborn Heights?

Lilliana Kerr died on January 20, 2017, when a heavy cafeteria table, reported at roughly 350 pounds, fell from its wall mount at a Head Start program inside St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Dearborn Heights. Her mother, Tabatha Kerr, pursued a wrongful-death claim, and the case reportedly settled for approximately $2.5 million.

Who were the surviving children entitled to the funds?

The money at issue was court-ordered to go to Lilliana’s surviving siblings. Their names are not used in this article, out of respect for the privacy of the children and family, and the public disciplinary materials describe them only as the surviving children. Rohl has said he secured Tabatha Kerr’s own share, so the unpaid amount concerns the siblings’ court-ordered portions.

When children are beneficiaries of a wrongful-death settlement, a court may require their shares to be protected through court-supervised arrangements rather than paid out without safeguards. According to the discipline findings, the siblings’ shares were deposited into Rohl’s client trust account but were never distributed.

The disbarment proceeding did not reopen the original wrongful-death case or decide who was legally responsible for the accident. Its focus was Rohl’s handling of the settlement money and his compliance with professional obligations.

Why Was Gregory Rohl Disbarred?

The Grievance Administrator filed a three-count formal complaint alleging that Rohl misappropriated and failed to distribute the court-ordered shares after the money was placed in his Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA) account. The allegations also covered using funds for unrelated purposes, failing to release the children’s shares despite court orders, and statements made to a beneficiary’s attorney and the Grievance Commission about his role and the missing money.

Rohl and the Grievance Administrator later submitted an amended stipulation for discipline by consent. Rohl entered no-contest pleas to the factual allegations and misconduct charges covered by the agreement, and Tri-County Hearing Panel No. 101 accepted it and ordered disbarment and restitution.

The misconduct reflected in the disposition included:

• Neglecting a legal matter and failing to act with reasonable diligence
• Failing to keep a client reasonably informed
• Failing to promptly deliver money owed to a client or third party
• Knowingly disobeying an obligation imposed by a tribunal
• Making a false statement of material fact in a disciplinary matter
• Engaging in dishonest conduct and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice

These are findings of professional misconduct, not a criminal theft conviction. A no-contest plea in a lawyer-discipline case differs from a criminal guilty plea, and the order should not be described as a criminal judgment. Disbarment does, however, mean Rohl is no longer authorized to practice law in Michigan or hold himself out as a licensed attorney.

What Did Gregory Rohl Say?

In a public statement to WDIV-TV, Rohl said he never knowingly took client money. He said he left active practice while dealing with a serious health condition and trusted a now-deceased partner and office manager to run the firm, and that he learned of the shortage after a probate attorney contacted him about difficulty getting information on the funds. He also attributed part of the failure to others involved in securing the money.

At the same time, he acknowledged that the trust account was in his name and that he was ultimately responsible for the loss, and said he agreed to a consent judgment against himself and the firm. He has also said he may seek an offset for amounts recovered from others.

These are Rohl’s own explanations, not findings. The accepted disciplinary agreement and disbarment order remain the controlling records of the sanction. The no-contest disposition should not be treated as a dismissal of the charges.

What Does the Restitution Order Mean for the Kerr Family?

The order requires $659,821.44 in restitution and $1,446.14 in costs, totaling $661,267.58. The restitution is tied to the court-ordered distributions that were not delivered to the intended beneficiaries.

It does not mean the family has already been paid or that collection is guaranteed. Practical recovery can depend on whether the person ordered to pay has available assets, whether further enforcement proceedings are needed, whether insurance or other claims apply, and whether other legal claims affect the same funds.

The public information reviewed for this article does not establish that the full restitution has been collected, and it does not create a compensation program for other families.

What Is an IOLTA Account, and Why Did It Matter?

An IOLTA account holds client or third-party money a lawyer receives while handling a matter. The money does not become the attorney’s property just because the attorney controls the account. A lawyer must keep these funds separate from personal and business money and promptly deliver them to the people entitled to them.

This safeguard matters most when minors are beneficiaries, because a court may direct that a child’s share be preserved in a restricted account, trust or other approved arrangement until specific conditions are met. The allegations against Rohl concerned failure to distribute court-ordered shares held through the trust-account process.

How Michigan Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15 applies

Michigan Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15 governs safekeeping of property. It requires lawyers to safeguard client and third-party property, keep proper records and promptly deliver funds when someone is entitled to receive them. When a lawyer receives settlement proceeds, the lawyer must distinguish between earned fees, authorized expenses and money owed to clients or other beneficiaries. Funds held in trust cannot be treated as business revenue.

Which Michigan Rules Govern the Discipline?

Michigan Court Rule 9.104: grounds for discipline

MCR 9.104 lists conduct that can support discipline, including conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice, conduct that brings the profession into contempt or reproach, conduct contrary to honesty and ethics, and violations of the professional-conduct rules. This is why mishandling client funds can carry serious professional consequences even without a separate criminal conviction.

Michigan Court Rule 9.115(F)(5): discipline by consent

MCR 9.115(F)(5) allows a lawyer facing a complaint to offer a no-contest plea or admit some or all allegations in exchange for a stated discipline, subject to acceptance under the rule. Rohl’s disbarment followed this process, so it was an accepted disciplinary agreement with no-contest pleas and a defined sanction, not the result of a full contested hearing on every allegation.

What Can Families Do If a Lawyer Does Not Release Settlement Money?

The Rohl case shows why beneficiaries should verify that settlement money reaches the people entitled to it. If you believe your attorney has not distributed funds correctly:

1. Request a written settlement accounting. Ask for the settlement agreement, a closing statement showing fees and expenses, and a breakdown of every payment or deduction.
2. Request distribution records. Ask for documents showing when money entered the trust account, what was paid out, to whom, and what is still held.
3. Review any court order concerning minors. Get the order that sets the amount, the recipient and how the funds must be held.
4. Contact successor counsel. If the lawyer has left practice, been disbarred or become unavailable, ask who is responsible for the file and whether the funds remain in trust.
5. Get independent legal advice. A lawyer not involved in the original case can review the order and identify enforcement options.
6. Report suspected misconduct to the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, which investigates complaints about Michigan attorneys.
7. Check client-protection options. The State Bar of Michigan administers a fund that may reimburse some losses caused by attorney dishonesty, subject to eligibility rules and available resources. Confirm current requirements with the State Bar.

A disciplinary complaint does not replace a civil judgment or enforcement order, so families may need separate legal processes to recover money. Before hiring any attorney, especially for a high-dollar personal-injury or wrongful-death case, verify their license status through the State Bar of Michigan.

Does the Disbarment Create a Public Compensation Fund?

No. This is an individual attorney-discipline matter tied to one wrongful-death settlement. There is no class-action claim form, settlement administrator or enrollment deadline for unrelated families. A person with a separate dispute over an attorney’s handling of funds must evaluate it independently, because remedies depend on the jurisdiction, the conduct, the settlement terms and whether enforceable orders exist.

Related Wrongful-Death and Settlement-Fund Cases

A settlement’s gross amount is not the same as what beneficiaries ultimately receive. Court oversight, fees, expenses and proper administration of funds all affect distribution. For related context, see:

• Murdaugh murders and legal cases timeline, which covers litigation over settlement funds diverted from the intended beneficiaries of a wrongful-death claim.
• McDonough County $1.5 million police chase wrongful-death settlement, which shows how settlements for minor children can involve court-supervised payments.
• $682,500 St. Marys building collapse wrongful-death settlement, which explains the difference between a gross settlement, court-approved distributions and what family members actually receive.

These are separate cases with different parties, facts and outcomes. They do not determine what the Kerr family will ultimately recover.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Gregory Rohl disbarred?

He entered no-contest pleas in a Michigan disciplinary proceeding involving the alleged misappropriation and failure to distribute court-ordered portions of a wrongful-death settlement. The findings covered diligence, communication, delivery of funds, dishonesty and compliance with court obligations.

How much restitution must Rohl pay?

$659,821.44 in restitution plus $1,446.14 in costs, for a combined $661,267.58.

Who was the money meant for?

It was court-ordered to go to the surviving siblings of Lilliana Kerr. Their names are withheld here for privacy.

Did the family receive the full $2.5 million settlement?

The allegations concern court-ordered shares that were not distributed to the intended beneficiaries. Rohl said he secured Tabatha Kerr’s share but acknowledged responsibility for the trust-account loss. The public materials reviewed do not establish that the missing $659,821.44 has been fully recovered.

Was Rohl convicted of criminal theft?

No criminal conviction is reflected in the disciplinary record discussed here. Any criminal investigation or charges would be separate and are not detailed in the discipline notice.

What is a no-contest plea in a discipline case?

The attorney does not admit the allegations but does not contest them, allowing the panel to treat the charges as established for purposes of imposing discipline.

When did the disbarment take effect?

October 1, 2026, according to the Attorney Discipline Board’s notice.

Can a disbarred attorney still practice law?

No. Disbarment removes the license to practice in Michigan.

Can other families claim against the restitution order?

No. It relates to the Kerr settlement matter and does not create a public fund or claims process.

What should I do if my lawyer has not paid my settlement?

Request a written accounting and trust-account distribution records. If the issue is unresolved, consult independent counsel and consider filing a complaint with the attorney disciplinary authority.

Where can I check an attorney’s discipline history in Michigan?

The Attorney Discipline Board and the State Bar of Michigan maintain public records of disciplinary actions.

Bottom Line

Gregory Rohl’s disbarment is a major professional consequence arising from settlement money intended for the surviving children of Lilliana Kerr, who died at age 3 in a 2017 preschool accident. The order requires $659,821.44 in restitution and $1,446.14 in costs, but the public record reviewed does not establish that the missing funds have been collected.

The case shows why court-approved distributions in wrongful-death cases involving children need careful oversight. A settlement is not complete until the funds are accounted for and delivered to those entitled to them. Families should preserve the settlement order, request a written accounting and verify where every distribution goes. If money does not arrive as ordered, discipline and recovery may require different legal steps.

Sources

1. Michigan Attorney Discipline Board, official site and attorney lookup: https://www.adbmich.org/attorney-information/find-by-name/
2. Notice of Disbarment and Restitution, In the Matter of Gregory J. Rohl, P-39185, Case No. 26-47-GA (effective October 1, 2026): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5qlp23izb97qyhorh78y1/Rohl_26-47-GA.pdf?rlkey=yk6ccdjeq2f4pto3022ydmwpv&dl=1
3. Michigan Court Rules, Chapter 9, Professional Disciplinary Proceedings: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/michigan-court-rules/court-rules-book-ch-9-responsive-html5.zip/Court_Rules_Book_Ch_9/Court_Rules_Chapter_9/Court_Rules_Chapter_9.htm
4. Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, including Rule 1.15: https://www.courts.michigan.gov/siteassets/rules-instructions-administrative-orders/rules-of-professional-conduct/michigan-rules-of-professional-conduct.pdf
5. Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission: https://www.agcmi.org/
6. Public statement of Gregory J. Rohl to WDIV-TV

The disciplinary case number is verified from the public disciplinary record. The underlying wrongful-death civil case number was not independently verified from an accessible court docket, so it is not supplied here.

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher at AllAboutLawyer.com, based on the public disciplinary notice, Michigan court rules and professional-conduct rules reviewed as of October 27, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. AllAboutLawyer.com is a legal information website, not a law firm. The disciplinary outcome is distinct from any criminal proceeding or separate civil enforcement action, and the restitution order does not itself prove the money has been collected. Anyone affected by missing settlement funds should consult licensed counsel and contact the appropriate lawyer-regulation authority.