NOTICE OF REPRIMAND Case No. 91-40-GA C. William Garratt, P-13858, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board modifying Tri-County Hearing Panel #17's Order of Reprimand With Conditions.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective June 4, 1996. Respondent represented the complainant in various legal matters. There was a subsequent parting of the ways between the complainant and respondent. At that time respondent was due fees for legal services. When respondent was not paid in full, he caused to be filed a "Claim of Interest" against property in which complainant had an interest. The panel found that respondent's filing of a Claim of Interest as to property for which no right existed; his failure to research the filing of a claim of interest where it might infringe or cloud the title to the property and may have slandered the title; and not advising the former client in writing, or having the consent of his former client in writing, constituted professional misconduct in violation of MCR 9.104(2)-(4); Michigan Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(a) and Canon 1 of the then-applicable Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(1)and(6). On December 20, 1994, the panel entered an Order of Reprimand With Conditions.
Respondent filed a petition for review. On May 31, 1995, the Attorney Discipline Board entered an Order Modifying Order of Reprimand, affirming the panel's findings and conclusions and vacating the conditions imposed by the panel. Respondent filed motion for rehearing. On August 11, 1995, the Board entered an order modifying the costs assessed by the panel but otherwise denying the motion for rehearing.
Respondent filed an application for leave to appeal, which was denied by the Michigan Supreme Court in an order entered June 4, 1996.
Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,983.05.