NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION
Case No. 22-97-GA
Notice Issued: September 16, 2024
Edward M. Czuprynski, P 34114, Bay City, Michigan
Suspension - Three Years and One Day, Effective September 12, 2024
Based on the evidence presented to Tri‑Valley Hearing Panel #3 at hearings held in this matter in accordance with MCR 9.115, the hearing panel found that respondent committed professional misconduct in multiple matters in which respondent met with clients and improperly accepted retainer payments from clients while suspended from the practice of law, held himself out as an attorney, practiced law while suspended, and failed to comply with prior orders of discipline.
Respondent entered no contest pleas to the allegations and charges in Counts One, Two, Five, and Six of the formal complaint. Based upon the no contest pleas and the evidence presented at the hearing, the hearing panel found that respondent: failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and comply with reasonable request for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a) [Counts One, Four, and Five]; failed to hold property of clients or third persons in connection with a representation in an IOLTA or non-IOLTA account and separate from the lawyer’s own property, in violation of MRPC 1.15(d) [Counts One, Two, Four, and Five]; failed to address client's request upon the termination of representation, in violation of MRPC 1.16 [Counts One and Five]; failed to timely refund an unearned fee, or portion thereof, to which the client is entitled, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d) [Counts One, Two, and Five]; engaged in the practice of law while not licensed to do so, in violation of MRPC 5.5(a) [Counts One, Two, Four, and Five]; kept an active website identifying himself as an active attorney after being suspended, in violation of MRPC 7.1(a) [Count Six]; failed to cooperate with an investigation of the Attorney Grievance Commission,, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(2) [Count Six]; engaged in conduct in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, in violation of MRPC 8.4(a) [Counts One, Two, Four, Five, and Six]; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, where such conduct reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b) [Counts One, Two, Four, and Five]; engaged in conduct that exposes the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2) [Counts One, Two, Four, Five, and Six]; engaged in conduct that is contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3) [Counts One, Two, Four, Five, and Six]; engaged in conduct in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, in violation of MCR 9.104(4) [Counts One, Two, Four, Five, and Six]; engaged in conduct in violation of an order of discipline, in violation of MCR 9.104(9) [Count Six]; failed to notify client of suspension, in violation of MCR 9.119(A) [Counts One, Two, Four, Five, and Six]; failed to file affidavits of compliance with the Attorney Discipline Board and Attorney Grievance Commission, in violation of MCR 9.119(C) [Count Six]; engaged in the practice of law, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(1) [Counts One, Two, Four, and Five]; had contact with clients, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(2) [Counts One, Two, Four, and Five]; held himself out as an attorney, in violation of MCR 9.119(E)(4) [Counts One, Two, and Five]; and failed to notify client of suspension, in violation of MCR 9.123 [Count Five]. Count Three was dismissed by the hearing panel.
The Panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for three (3) years and one (1) day, and that he pay restitution in the total amount of $27,650.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $3,411.98.