STATE OF MICHIGAN Attorney Discipline Board
2022-Jan-31
GRIEVANCE ADMINISTRATOR, Attorney Grievance Commission,
Petitioner, v CHARLES A. CARPENTER, P 61118, Respondent. /
Case No. 21-87-RD
ORDER OF DISBARMENT
Issued by the Attorney Discipline Board 333 W. Fort St., Ste. 1700, Detroit, MI 48226
This matter is before the Attorney Discipline Board upon the filing of a Notice of Filing of Reciprocal Discipline pursuant to MCR 9.120(C) by the Grievance Administrator that attached a certified copy of an Order of Enforcement entered by The Supreme Court of Tennessee on October 22, 2021, permanently disbarring respondent from the practice of law in Tennessee in a matter titled In Re: Charles Alphonso Carpenter, No. M2021-01234-SC-BAR-BP. Under MCR 9.120(C)(1), misconduct is conclusively established and comparable discipline shall be imposed in Michigan unless it is established that respondent was not afforded due process of law in the course of the original proceeding or that the imposition of comparable discipline in Michigan would be clearly inappropriate. In the notice, the Grievance Administrator indicated that he had no objection to the imposition of the comparable discipline.
Pursuant to MCR 9.120(C)(2), an Order Regarding Imposition of Reciprocal Discipline was issued by the Board and served on respondent on December 21, 2021.The order provided that the parties had 21 days from the service of the order to inform the Board in writing of any objection to the imposition of comparable discipline, based on the grounds set forth in MCR 9.120(C)(1), and whether a hearing was requested. The noted time period expired without objection by either party. As a result, respondent is deemed to be in default with the same effect as a default in a civil action, pursuant to MCR 9.120(C)(6) and the Board shall impose comparable discipline.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that respondent, Charles A. Carpenter, is DISBARRED from the practice of law in Michigan EFFECTIVE MARCH 1, 2022, and until further order of the Supreme Court, the Attorney Discipline Board or a hearing panel, and until respondent complies with the requirements of MCR 9.123(B) and (C) and MCR 9.124.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that from the effective date of this order and until reinstatement in accordance with the applicable provisions of MCR 9.123, respondent is forbidden from practicing law in any form; appearing as an attorney before any court, judge, justice, board, commission or other public authority; or holding himself out as an attorney by any means.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in accordance with MCR 9.119(A), respondent shall, within seven days after the effective date of this order, notify all of his active clients, in writing, by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, of the following:
1. 2. 3.
4.
5.
6.
the nature and duration of the discipline imposed; the effective date of such discipline; respondent's inability to act as an attorney after the effective date of such discipline;
the location and identity of the custodian of the clients' files and records which will be made available to them or to substitute counsel;
that the clients may wish to seek legal advice and counsel elsewhere; provided that, if respondent was a member of a law firm, the firm may continue to represent each client with the client's express written consent;
the address to which all correspondence to respondent may be addressed.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, in accordance with MCR 9.119(B), respondent must, on or before the effective date of this order, in every matter in which respondent is representing a client in litigation, file with the tribunal and all parties a notice of respondent's disqualification from the practice of law.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall, within 14 days after the effective date of this order, file with the Grievance Administrator and the Attorney Discipline Board an affidavit of compliance as required by MCR 9.119(C).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent's conduct after the entry of this order but prior to its effective date, shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in MCR 9.119(D); and respondent's compensation for legal services shall be subject to the restrictions described in MCR 9.119(F).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall, on or before March 1, 2022, pay costs in the amount of $1,500.00. Please refer to the attached cost payment instruction sheet for method and forms of payment accepted. ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
DATED: January 31, 2022
By:
______________________________ Michael B. Rizik, Jr., Chairperson