MEMBERS JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK
STATE OF MICIDGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIA TE COUNSEL
SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRAT OR
JOHN W. INHULSEN
KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER PETER A. SMIT
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER
JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF REPRIMAND WITH CONDITIONS
Case No. 19-18-RD
Notice Issued: March 5, 2020
Richard Shant Norsigian, P 77410, Royal Oak, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board.
Reprimand, Effective March 3, 2020
In a reciprocal discipline proceeding under MCR 9.120(C), the Grievance Administrator filed a certified copy of an Order of the Supreme Court of Florida in the matter of The Florida Bar v R. Shant Norsigian, Florida Supreme Court Case No. SC18-883, suspending respondent from the practice of law in Florida for 91 days. Respondent filed an objection to the imposition of reciprocal discipline.
Tri-County Hearing Panel #56 was not persuaded that respondent had met his burden of proving that the imposition of comparable discipline be clearly inappropriate pursuant to MCR 9.120(C)(1). Therefore, the panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law in Michigan for 91 days. Respondent timely filed a petition for review of the panel's decision and respondent's suspension was stayed pursuant to MCR 9.115(K).
After proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.118, the Board found that the imposition of comparable discipline in Michigan would be "clearly inappropriate," but that respondent did indeed commit professional misconduct in another jurisdiction and that some protections for the public would be appropriate. The Board affirmed the hearing panel's finding of misconduct, and modified the panel's order of discipline to impose a reprimand with conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed by the hearing panel of $1 ,506.80.
'1fl' a Mark A. Armitage Executive Director