STATE OF MICHIGAN
Attorney Discipline Board
GRIEVANCE ADMINISTRATOR,
Attorney Grievance Commission,
Petitioner/Appellee,
v Case No. 20-13-GA
ANDREW A. PATERSON, P 18690,
Respondent/Appellant.
/
ORDER AFFIRMING HEARING PANEL ORDER OF SUSPENSION,
AFFIRMING CONDITION, AND VACATING CONDITION
Issued by the Attorney Discipline Board
333 W. Fort St., Ste. 1700, Detroit, MI
Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #2 of the Attorney Discipline Board issued an order on July 27, 2023, suspending respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan for a period of 100 days, effective August 18, 2023. The panel also imposed conditions determining that respondent would be ineligible for reinstatement until he has paid all court‑ordered sanctions presently owing to all applicable courts, and has taken and passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).
Respondent timely filed a petition for review and a petition for stay, which automatically stayed the order of discipline pursuant to MCR 9.115(K). In addition, complainants filed a cross‑petition for review.
The Attorney Discipline Board has conducted review proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.118, including review of the record before the hearing panel and consideration of the briefs and arguments presented to the Board at a virtual/in-person hybrid review hearing conducted on December 13, 2023.
NOW THEREFORE, for the reasons set forth in the accompanying opinion,
IT IS ORDERED that the hearing panel’s order suspending respondent’s license for 100 days, issued July 27, 2023, is AFFIRMED. Respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan is SUSPENDED FOR 100 DAYS, EFFECTIVE MAY 29, 2024, and until respondent’s filing of an affidavit of compliance with the Attorney Discipline Board and the Attorney Grievance Commission in accordance with MCR 9.123(A).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the that the condition imposed by the hearing panel determining that respondent shall not be eligible for reinstatement until he has taken and passed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) and provided written proof of same to the Grievance Administrator is AFFIRMED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the condition imposed by the hearing panel determining that respondent would be ineligible for reinstatement until respondent has paid all court-ordered sanctions presently owing to all applicable courts is VACATED.
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. the nature and duration of the discipline imposed;
2. the effective date of such discipline;
3. respondent’s inability to act as an attorney after the effective date of such discipline;
4. the location and identity of the custodian of the clients’ files and records which will be made available to them or to substitute counsel;
5. 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;
6. 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 May 29, 2024, pay costs in the amount of $6,295.00, consisting of costs assessed by the hearing panel in the amount of $5,894.50 and court reporting costs incurred by the Attorney Discipline Board in the amount of $400.50 for the review proceedings conducted on December 13, 2023. Please refer to the attached cost payment instruction sheet for method and forms of payment accepted.
Dated: April 30, 2024
Board Members Peter A. Smit, Rev. Dr. Louis J. Prues, Linda M. Orlans, Jason M. Turkish, Andreas Sidiropoulos, MD, Katie Stanley, and Tish Vincent concur in this decision.
Board Chairperson Alan Gershel was recused and did not participate.
Board Member Kamilia Landrum was absent and did not participate in this decision.