STATE OF MICHIGAN Attorney Discipline Board
GRIEVAN.CE ADMINISTRATOR, Attorney Grievance Commission,
v
Petitioner/A ppella nt/Cross-Appellee,
11 HAY -4 PM \2: 45
Case No. 14-59-GA
WADE H. MCCREE, P 37626 RespondentlAppellee/Cross-Appellant. ------------------------------------,/
ORDER INCREASING DISCIPLINE FROM A SUSPENSION OF TWO YEARS TO A SUSPENSION OFTHREE YEARS
Issued by the Attorney Discipline Board 211 W. Fort St., Ste. 1410, Detroit, MI
On January 22, 2016, Tri-County Hearing Panel #2 of the Attorney Discipline Board issued an order suspending respondent's license to practice law in Michigan for a period of two years, effective January 22, 2016. The Grievance Administrator filed a petition for review on February 12, 2016. Respondent filed a cross-petition for review on March 2, 2016. The Attorney Discipline Board has conducted review proceedings in accordance with MeR 9.118, including review of the record below, and consideration of the briefs filed by the parties, and the oral arguments presented to the Board at a review hearing conducted on April 20, 2016, and is otherwise fully advised,
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that, for the reasons set forth in the attached opinion, discipline in this case is increased from a suspension of two years to a SUSPENSION OF RESPONDENT'S LICENSE TO PRACTICE LAW FOR THREE YEARS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 22.2016, 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.
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;
4.
5.
6.
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(0); 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 June 2.2017, pay costs incurred for the transcript of review proceedings conducted on April 20, 2016, in the amount of $118.50. Costs may be paid by check or money order made payable to the Attorney Discipline
System, but submitted to the Attorney Discipline Board, 211 West Fort St., Ste. 1410, Detroit, MI 48226, for proper crediting.
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
DATED: May 4,2017
By:
Board members Louann Van Der Wiele, Rev. Michael Murray, Dulce M. Fuller, James A. Fink, Jonathan E. Lauderbach, and Barbara Williams Forney concur in this decision.
Board members Lawrence G. Campbell and John W. Inhulsen were absent and did not participate. Board member Rosalind E. Griffin, M.D., was voluntarily recused.