STATE OF MICHIGAN Attorney Discipline Board
2020-Jul-10
GRIEVANCE ADMINISTRATOR, Attorney Grievance Commission,
Petitioner/Appellee/Cross-Appellant, v SCOTT E. COMBS, P 37554, Respondent/Appellant/Cross-Appellee. /
Case No. 15-154-GA
ORDER GRANTING, IN PART, REQUEST FOR AN INTERIM STAY OF ORDER OF DISCIPLINE
Issued by the Attorney Discipline Board 333 W. Fort St., Ste. 1700, Detroit, MI
Tri-County Hearing Panel #7 issued an order of suspension and restitution in this matter on June 19, 2020, which ordered the suspension of respondent's license to practice law in Michigan for three years, and the payment of $19,752.10 in restitution, effective July 11, 2020. Respondent has filed a petition for review of the hearing panel’s order along with a request for an interim stay of 60 days to allow his new counsel sufficient time to prepare a complete petition for stay pursuant to MCR 9.118(E). The Grievance Administrator has filed a cross-petition for review and an objection to respondent’s request for an interim stay of 60 days. The Attorney Discipline Board has considered respondent’s request, the Grievance Administrator’s response in opposition, and respondent’s reply to the Administrator’s response, and is otherwise fully advised;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that respondent's request for an interim stay of the effective date of the hearing panel order of suspension and restitution is GRANTED IN PART, and that the order of discipline shall be stayed on an interim basis until further order of the Board.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that respondent shall have 14 days from the date of this order to supplement his request for a stay pursuant to MCR 9.118(E). Respondent’s supplement should address all relevant factors, including, the nature of the misconduct; the potential for harm to the public if the stay is granted; the possibility that respondent's arguments on review could prevail after briefing, oral argument, and fuller consideration by the Board; and, whether respondent may suffer irreparable harm if the stay is not granted.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Grievance Administrator shall have 7 days from the date respondent’s supplement is filed to respond.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in accordance with MCR 9.119(D), respondent shall not accept any new retainer or engagement as an attorney in any new case or legal matter of any nature from the date of this order and unless specifically authorized by the Board Chairperson.
By:
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
___ Jonathan E. Lauderbach, Chairperson
Dated: July 10, 2020
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