NOTICE OF REPRIMAND Case No. 90-46-GA J. Michael Hill, P29769, Allen Park, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board affirming a hearing panel order of reprimand.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective April 24, 1992. Tri-County Hearing Panel #1 found that misconduct was established by a preponderance of the evidence. Respondent was retained to act as defense counsel in an action to collect legal fees resulting from a divorce action, and filed a counter-complaint for legal malpractice of the defendant's behalf, but made misleading statements to the court regarding a proposed expert witness in both his answer to interrogatories and answer to motion to dismiss.
The panel found that respondent's conduct was in violation of Canons 1 and 7 of the then-applicable Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(4,5) and DR 7-102(A)(1,5).
The respondent filed a petition for review seeking reversal of the order of reprimand and dismissal of the formal complaint. The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review seeking an increase in the discipline imposed. In an order issued on September 30, 1991, the Attorney Discipline Board affirmed the hearing panel order of reprimand.
The respondent filed an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court, which was denied in an order issued on April 24, 1992. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1783.75.