MEMBERS REV. MICHAEL MURRAY CHAIRPERSON JONATHAN E. LAUDERBACH VICE-CHAIRPERSON BARBARA WILLIAMS FORNEY SECRETARY JAMES A. FINK JOHN W. INHULSEN KAREN D. O'DONOGHUE MICHAEL B. RIZIK, JR. LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD ANNA FRUSHOUR
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
211 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1410
DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 I FAX: 313-963-5571
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR
KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL
SHERRY L. MIFSUD OFFICE ADMIN/STRA TOR
ALLYSON M. PLOURDE CASE MANAGER
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTION/STISECRETARY
NOTICE OF REPRIMAND Case No. 15-28-GA Notice Issued: October 24,2018 Steven G. Cohen, P 48895, Farmington Hills, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #1.
Reprimand, effective October 24,2018 After proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.115, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct resulting from his filing of two documents in Wayne County Probate Court.
The panel found that respondent engaged in undignified or discourteous conduct toward the tribunal, in violation of MRPC 3.5(d); and that he violated MCR 2.114(0)(3) and MCR 5.114(A)(1), in that he interposed a document in a probate proceeding for an improper purpose. Respondent was also found to have violated MCR 9.104(1), (2) and (4); and MRPC 8.4(c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 180 days. Respondent filed a petition for review and request for stay and the discipline ordered by the hearing panel was automatically stayed pursuant to MCR 9.115(K). The Grievance Administrator filed a cross-petition for review. Upon review, the Board affirmed the hearing panel's findings of misconduct, declined to increase the discipline imposed by the hearing panel, and instead, reduced the discipline imposed to a reprimand. Both the Grievance Administrator and respondent filed applications for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court which were denied on October 2, 2018. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $9,513.05.
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