NOTICE OF ORDER OF DISCIPLINE IMPOSING NO DISCIPLINE Case No. 99-77-GA Notice Issued: August 9, 2001 Daniel J. Rittman, P-43375, Flint, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board, affirming an order by Tri-County Hearing Panel #51 imposing no discipline.
1. Order Imposing ANo Discipline;@ 2. Effective July 30, 2001. The hearing panel found that respondent had committed professional misconduct, specifically: That respondent represented the parents of a former divorce client without consulting his former client or obtaining her consent to the representation. Respondent's conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.9(a); and 8.4(a) and (c). Based on the specific facts and circumstances of this case, including the mitigating effect of respondent's good faith attempt to seek ethical advice with regard to the representation, the panel issued an order of discipline imposing no discipline.
The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review and on January 25, 2001, the Board affirmed the hearing panel's finding of an order of discipline imposing no discipline. Both the Attorney Grievance Commission and respondent filed applications for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court. On July 30, 2001, the Supreme Court issued an order denying both applications for leave to appeal. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,004.67.