NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITION
Case No. 22-24-GA
Notice Issued: June 6, 2024
Stephanie A. Carson, P 57096, Detroit, Michigan
Suspension - 60 Days, Effective June 6, 2024
Based on the evidence presented at hearings held in this matter in accordance with MCR 9.115, Tri-County Hearing Panel #2 found that respondent committed professional misconduct as alleged in a two-count formal complaint filed by the Grievance Administrator. Count One involved respondent’s interactions with a former client during the pendency of a civil action for professional negligence that the former client filed against respondent, and Count Two was dismissed by the panel.
Specifically, the panel found that respondent, while representing herself, communicated about the subject of the representation with a person whom she knew was represented in the matter by another lawyer, without the consent of the other lawyer, in violation of MRPC 4.2(a); violated the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, contrary to MRPC 8.4(a); engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MCR 9.104(1) and MRPC 8.4(c); engaged in conduct that exposes the courts 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).
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law be suspended for a period of 180 days and that she be subject to a condition relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $2,230.96.
Respondent timely filed a petition for review and the panel’s order of discipline was stayed by the Board, first on an interim basis and later with an Order Granting Petition for Stay on October 31, 2023. After conducting review proceedings according to MCR 9.118, the Board reduced the discipline imposed by the hearing panel from a 180-day suspension to a 60-day suspension of respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan, and also affirmed the condition.