No, he didn't.
Leo Donofrio jumped onboard the birther bandwagon right at the end of October 2008, when he filed Donofrio v Wells. The "born in Kenya mess" was introduced in March 2008 to no interest, finally caught the web's attention in June 2008, and got widespread attention with Phil Berg's complaint in August 2008.
So the Kenyan-birth eligibility accusations had been circulating for at least four months before Donofrio started advancing any alternative theories as to Obama's ineligibility.
You’re correct. That’s when he filed his suit. Regardless, Donofrio doesn’t like to be associated with birthers. He doesn’t want on their bandwagon. Birthers would have the law twisted and broken just to remove Obama from office.
While I believe that Obama isn’t eligible based on his dual citizenship status at birth, I would accept and support a ruling from the SCOTUS that declared him eligible. I respect the law, even when it doesn’t suit my personal agenda.