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 DETROIT, MICHIGAN PHONE: 313-963-5553
STREET, SUITE 1410 48226-3236 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 RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 14-59-GA Notice Issued: June 6, 2017 Wade H. McCree, P 37626, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #2.
Suspension - Three Years, Effective January 22,2016. The hearing panel found that respondent had committed professional misconduct during his tenure as a Wayne County Circuit Judge, when he engaged in an affair with a litigant in a
child-support case assigned to his courtroom; communicated with the litigant and presided over various aspects of the case during the course of his affair; and failed to recuse himself for several months. The panel also determined that respondent presided over a case involving a relative of the litigant with whom he was having the affair, and that he conferred with her before issuing a bond reduction in the matter. The panel further determined that respondent made false and misleading statements and representations to the Judicial Tenure Commission relating to his actions in those two cases.
The hearing panel found that respondent's conduct was prejudicial to the proper administration of justice, in violation of MCR 9.104(1); exposed the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2); was contrary to justice,
ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3); and, violated the standards or rules of professional conduct adopted by the Supreme Court, in violation of MCR 9.104(4). The panel further found that respondent violated or attempted to violate the Rules of Professional Conduct,
knowingly assisted or induced another to do so, or did so through the acts of another, in violation of MRPC 8.4(a); engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or violation of the criminal law, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b); and, engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MRPC 8.4(c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for two years, effective January 22, 2016. The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review, respondent filed a cross-petition for review. The Attorney Discipline Board conducted review proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.118, including review ofthe evidentiary record before the panel, consideration of the parties' briefs, and of the arguments presented by the parties at the review hearing. The Board issued an order increasing respondent's discipline from a suspension
oftwo years to a suspension of three years effective January 22, 2016. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $3,389.61.
'1~a~ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director