MEMBERS JONATHAN E.LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR.
VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY
SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W.I NHULSEN
KAREN D.O 'DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
ANNA FRUSHOUR MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER
STATE OF MlClDGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147 PHONE: 313·963·5553 I FAX: 313-963·5571
MARK A.A RMITAGE 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 RECEPTIONISTISECRETARY
NOTICE OF REPRIMAND (By Consent)
Case No. 19-29-GA
Notice Issued: October 9, 2019
Lee B. Steinberg, P 20955, Southfield, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri County Hearing Panel #61.
Reprimand, Effective October 3, 2019
Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. The stipulation contained respondent's admissions to the allegations that he committed acts of professional misconduct by creating a fictitious case name and number to give the appearance that a case was pending so that he could obtain information via a subpoena.
Based on respondent's admissions and the parties' stipulation, the panel finds that respondent asserted an issue that was frivolous and had no basis for doing so, in violation of MRPC 3.1; knowingly made a false statement of material fact or law to a third person, in violation of MRPC 4.1; and used methods of obtaining evidence that violate the legal rights of a third person, in violation of MRPC 4.4. The panel also found that respondent violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and MRPC 8.4(a)-(c).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded. Costs were as essed in the amount of $765.20.