MEMBERS JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH CHAIRPERSON MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY KAREN D. O’DONOGHUE LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD
MICHAEL S. HOHAUSER PETER A. SMIT ALAN GERSHEL LINDA M. ORLANS
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
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (By Consent)
Case No. 21-7-GA Notice Issued: July 14, 2021 Bart R. Frith, P 39541, Vermontville, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #4.
Suspension - Two Years, Effective November 5, 2019 1 Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Two-Year Suspension, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. Based on respondent’s admissions, no contest plea and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct by making false statements under oath during his reinstatement interview conducted on December 2, 2019, in In the Matter of the Reinstatement Petition of Bart R. Frith, 19-114-RP, regarding his use of funds in an account belonging to his now deceased mother, which he had access to as her durable power of attorney and then as the personal representative of her estate.
The panel found that respondent knowingly made a false statement of material fact in connection with a bar admission or disciplinary matter, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(1); and, engaged in conduct that involved misrepresentation, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b). Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and MRPC 8.4(a) and (c).
In accordance with the parties’ stipulation, the panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law be suspended for a period of two years, effective November 5, 2019, as agreed to by the parties and explained in their report. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $797.15.
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since November 1, 2018. See Notice of Suspension (By Consent) issued November 2, 2018, Grievance Administrator v Bart R. Frith, 18-103-GA.