MEMBERS LINDA S. HOTCHKISS, MD CHAIRPERSON ALAN GERSHEL VICE-CHAIRPERSON REV. DR. LOUIS J. PRUES SECRETARY PETER A. SMIT LINDA M. ORLANS
JASON M. TURKISH ANDREAS SIDIROPOULOS, MD KATIE STANLEY TISH VINCENT
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
333 WEST FORT STREET, SUITE 1700 DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3147 PHONE: 313-963-5553
MARK A. ARMITAGE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR — WENDY A. NEELEY DEPUTY DIRECTOR — KAREN M. DALEY ASSOCIATE COUNSEL — SHERRY MIFSUD OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR —
OWEN R. MONTGOMERY CASE MANAGER — JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY —
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF REPRIMAND AND RESTITUTION (By Consent)
Case No. 22-56-GA Notice Issued: March 31, 2023 Yvette M. Barrett, P 58142, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #12
Reprimand, effective March 31, 2023 Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline, pursuant to MCR 9.115(F)(5), that was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by the hearing panel. Based upon respondent's admissions and no contest plea as set forth in the parties' stipulation, the panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct during her representation of a client in various post-verdict proceedings, after the client was found guilty of criminal sexual conduct - first degree.
Based on respondent’s admissions, no contest plea and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failed to keep her client reasonably informed about the status of a matter, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); charged or collected a clearly excessive fee, in violation of MRPC 1.5(a); failed to hold property of clients or third persons in connection with a representation separate from the lawyer’s own property, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d); failed to refund an unearned fee paid in advance, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MCR 9.104(1) and 8.4(c); and engaged in conduct contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3).
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that respondent be reprimanded and pay $12,500 in restitution. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,495.43.