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
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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 — JODIE GROH CASE MANAGER — JULIE M. LOISELLE RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY —
www.adbmich.org
NOTICE OF REPRIMAND (By Consent)
Case No. 23-25-GA Notice Issued: June 30, 2023 Eldon J. Vincent, P 65432, Marshall, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Ingham County Hearing Panel #1
Reprimand, effective June 17, 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. The parties’ stipulation contained respondent’s admission that he committed professional misconduct when he purchased stock ownership in a business entity formed by a client, offered to prepare the purchase documents, and did not advise his client in writing that he could obtain outside counsel to review the transaction.
Based on respondent's admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent engaged in a conflict of interest by entering into a business transaction with a client or knowingly acquiring an ownership adverse to a client unless the terms are fair and reasonable to the client, the client is given reasonable opportunity to seek the advice of independent counsel, and the client consents in writing, in violation of MRPC 1.8(a)(1); engaged in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MRPC 8.4(c) and MCR 9.104(1); engaged in conduct that exposes the legal profession to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2); 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. Costs were assessed in the amount of $759.48.