MEMBERS WILLIAM J. DANHOF
CHAIRPERSON THOMAS G. KIENBAUM
VICE-CHAIRPERSON WILLIAM l. MATIHEWS, CPA
SECRETARY BILLY BEN BAUMANN, M.D. ANDREA l. SOLAK ROSALIND E. GRIFFIN, M.D. CARL E. VER BEEK CRAIG H. LUBBEN JAMES M. CAMERON, JR.
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIREaOR JENNIFER M. PETTY LEGAL ASSISTANT
211 WEST FORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PH6 NE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571 WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 06-74-GA Notice Issued: January 16, 2009 Keith J. Mitan, P 33207, West Bloomfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board, increasing the suspension imposed by Tri-County Hearing Panel #57 from 60 days to one year.
1. Suspension - 1 Year 2. Effective January 9, 2009 Respondent appealed a criminal contempt conviction in the Ingham County Circuit Court. The terms of his appeal bond and related court orders required that he submit a request for approval of travel plans should he wish to leave the State of Michigan. The hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct when he traveled to California, Arizona, and Illinois without seeking and receiving written authorization from the Ingham Circuit Court. Additionally, the panel also found that r~spondent intentionally withheld this information from the court, which was material to the questioning by the circuit judge. Finally, the panel found that respondent engaged in conduct that was prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.1 04(A)(1) and (3); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 3.4(c) and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 60 days. Both parties filed petitions for review and respondent also requested a stay of discipline, which was granted by the Board.
The Board conducted a review hearing and, on September 30,2008, the Board issued its opinion and order affirming the hearing panel's findings of misconduct. However, the Board increased respondent's suspension from the practice of law in Michigan from 60 days to one year. Respondent filed a motion for reconsideration which was· denied by the Board on December 11 , 2008. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $4,307.30.
John F. Van Bolt
Dated:
January 16, 2009 _