STATE OF MICHIGAN
Attorney Discipline Board
GRIEVANCE ADMINISTRATOR, Attorney Grievance Commission,
Petitioner/Appellee/Cross-Appellant, v ANTHONY J. SZILAGYI, P 56473, Respondent/Appellant/Cross-Appellee. /
FILED ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD May 6, 2021
Case No. 18-56-GA
ORDER MODIFYING HEARING PANEL FINDING OF MISCONDUCT, REDUCING DISCIPLINE FROM A 30-DAY SUSPENSION TO A REPRIMAND, REDUCING COSTS AND AFFIRMING CONDITION
Issued by the Attorney Discipline Board 333 W. Fort St., Ste. 1700, Detroit, MI
On August 19, 2020, Ingham County Hearing Panel #3 issued an order in this matter that suspended respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan for a period of 30 days and required that he take an “appropriate professional ethics class that provides education on the procedural and technical requirements of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct as a refresher.” On September 8, 2020, respondent filed a petition for review and for a stay, which resulted in an automatic stay of the discipline imposed by the hearing panel pursuant to MCR 9.115(K).
Respondent sought review by the Board of the hearing panel’s findings of misconduct made regarding Count One of the formal complaint, and of the discipline imposed by the panel, which he argued was excessive. Respondent also argued for a reduction in the costs assessed against him given that the panel found that the Grievance Administrator was unable to prove all of the disputed charges. The Grievance Administrator filed a cross-petition for review and sought review of the panel’s dismissal of some allegations of misconduct and an increase in the discipline imposed.
The Attorney Discipline Board has conducted review proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.118, and is otherwise fully advised;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that, for the reasons set forth in the attached opinion, the hearing panel’s findings of misconduct are modified to the extent that the panel’s findings of misconduct regarding Count One of the formal complaint are REVERSED and the allegations of professional misconduct contained in Count One of Formal Complaint 18-56-GA, in its entirety, are DISMISSED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the reasons set forth in the attached opinion, discipline imposed by the hearing panel is REDUCED from a suspension of 30 days to a REPRIMAND EFFECTIVE JUNE 4, 2021.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the condition imposed by the hearing panel is AFFIRMED. Respondent shall, within six months, take a professional ethics class that provides education on the procedural and technical requirements of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, as a refresher. The parties shall stipulate to an appropriate educational course and submit the stipulation to the panel for approval. The six-month deadline will start to run as of the date the stipulation is approved by the panel.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, for the reasons set forth in the attached opinion, the actual costs assessed in the hearing panel’s August 19, 2020 order are REDUCED from $7,885.38, to $1,971.35.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall, on or before June 4, 2021, pay costs in the total amount of $3,471.35, consisting of $1,971.35 in actual costs as referenced above plus $1,500 in administrative costs imposed pursuant to MCR 9.128(B)(1)(b). Please refer to the attached cost payment instruction sheet for method and forms of payment accepted.
By:
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
Jonathan E. Lauderbach, Chairperson
DATED: May 6, 2021
Board members Jonathan E. Lauderbach, Michael B. Rizik, Jr., Barbara Williams Forney, Karen D. O'Donoghue, Linda S. Hotchkiss, M.D., Peter A. Smit, and Linda M. Orlans concur in this decision.
Board member Michael S. Hohauser was absent and did not participate. Board member Alan Gershel was recused and did not participate.
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