MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF CHAIRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM VICE-CHAIRPERSON ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D.
SECRETARY WILLIAM L. MATTHEWS ANDREA L. SOLAK CARL E. YER BEEK CRAIG H. LUBBEN
JAMES M. CAMERON, JR. SYLVIA P. WHITMER, Ph.D
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
JENNIFER M. PETTY LEGAL ASSISTANT
211 WEST FORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571
WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
DISMISSAL Case No. 09-48-GA Wilson A. Copeland, III, P 23837, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #2.
1. Dismissal 2. Effective May 21,2010. Respondent, as special trial counsel for the City of Detroit, was alleged to have failed to bring the terms of a confidentiality agreement to the attention of the Detroit City Council before the City Council agreed to the economic terms set forth in the agreement. Respondent was charged with failing to keep his client reasonably informed of the status of his engagement; failing to explain matters to his client to permit his client to make informed decisions; assisting another in unlawfully concealing a document having potential evidentiary value; and attempting to violate the court rules, or knowingly assisting another to do so, or doing so through the acts of another, in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(1 )-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.4(a) and (b); 3.4(a); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel unanimously found that the Grievance Administrator had failed to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that respondent was guilty of the misconduct as charged in the formal complaint. The panel specifically found that respondent's engagement was a special one, limited to in-court proceedings and their resolution if possible, and did not extend to securing Detroit City Council's approval of any settlement made in the lawsuit.
The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review and the Attorney Discipline Board, after review, issued an order affirming the hearing panel's order of dismissal. No costs were assessed against respondent.
John F. Van Bolt Dated:_J_U_N_-_l_.. - =-201t~_
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