MEMBERS JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN
KAREN D. O’DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER PETER A. SMIT
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR — KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL — SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR —
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER — JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY —
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147
PHONE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION Case No. 18-28-GA Notice Issued: July 28, 2020 Mark S. Papazian, P 24110, Troy, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #79
Suspension - 90 Days, Effective July 24, 2020. After proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.115 and based on the evidence presented by the parties at the hearings held in this matter, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct by preparing multiple estate plan instruments on behalf of the decedent through which respondent and respondent’s children were to receive substantial gifts from the trust estate when neither respondent nor his children were related to the donor.
The panel found that respondent violated MRPC 1.8(c) which states, a lawyer shall not prepare an instrument giving the lawyer or a person related to the lawyer as a parent, child, sibling, or spouse any substantial gift from a client including a testamentary gift, except where the client is related to the donee. The panel also found that respondent violated MCR 9.104(2) and (3).
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for a period of 90 days. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2,763.76.
/s/ Mark A. Armitage Executive Director