NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITION
(By Consent)
Case Nos. 24-25-JC; 24-26-GA
Notice Issued: November 7, 2024
R. Scott A. Baker, P 62511, Onsted, Michigan
Suspension - Two Years, Effective December 1, 2024
Respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of a Two-Year Suspension With Condition, in accordance with MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #2.
The stipulation contained respondent’s no contest plea to the factual allegations and allegations of professional misconduct as set forth in the notice of filing of judgment of conviction and formal complaint. Specifically, the formal complaint alleged that respondent committed misconduct during his representation of two separate clients seeking assistance in their divorce matters, including showing one client orders purportedly issued by Lenawee County Circuit Court, that were in fact created, stamped, and signed by respondent. The notice of filing of judgment of conviction sets forth that respondent was convicted by guilty plea of willful neglect of duty - public officer, a misdemeanor, in violation of MCL 740.478, in People v Robert Scott Allen Baker, 2A District Court, Case No. 222067.
Based on respondent’s no contest plea and the stipulation of the parties, the panel found that respondent neglected a legal matter entrusted to the lawyer, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c) [Counts One and Two]; failed to act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client, in violation of MRPC 1.3 [Counts One and Two]; failed to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a) [Counts One and Two]; failed to expedite litigation consistent with the interests of a client, in violation of MRPC 3.2 [Count Two]; engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, or violation of the criminal law, 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 and Two]; engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of MCR 9.104(1) and MRPC 8.4(c) [Counts One and Two]; engaged in conduct that exposed the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, as proscribed by MCR 9.104(2) [Counts One and Two]; engaged in conduct that is contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3) [Counts One and Two]; and engaged in conduct that violated a criminal law of a state or of the United States, an ordinance, or tribal law pursuant to MCR 2.615, in violation of MCR 9.104(5) [Judgment of Conviction].
The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for two years, effective December 1, 2024 as agreed to by the parties, and that he be subject to a condition relevant to the established misconduct. Costs were assessed in the amount of $950.76.