Suspension Imposed For Domestic Violence And Probation Violation

A 30-day suspension has been imposed by a tri-county hearing panel of the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board and affirmed by the Board on appeal

The Grievance Administrator filed a combined Notice of Filing of Judgment of Conviction and Formal Complaint against respondent. The notice, filed in accordance with MCR 9.120(B)(3), stated that respondent was convicted of domestic assault, a misdemeanor, in violation of West Bloomfield Ordinance Sec. 15-51, in the matter titled Township of West Bloomfield v Daniel Joseph Lehman, 48th District Court Case No. 21-WB01579-D01-OM. The formal complaint alleged that respondent, while on probation for his criminal matter, was involved in a domestic altercation and consumed alcohol, resulting in his arrest and guilty plea to a probation violation on March 29, 2022, and that respondent failed to report his domestic violence conviction to the Grievance Administrator and Attorney Discipline Board.

After proceedings conducted pursuant to MCR 9.115 and MCR 9.120, Tri-County Hearing Panel #62 found that respondent engaged in conduct that violates a criminal law of a state or of the United States, an ordinance, or tribal law pursuant to MCR 2.615, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b) and MCR 9.104(5); and engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administrator of justice, in violation of MCR 9.104(1) and MRPC 8.4(c). The panel also found respondent’s conduct violated MCR 9.104(2)-(4).

The panel ordered that respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 30 days and that he be subject to conditions relevant to the established misconduct. Respondent filed a timely petition for review and was granted an automatic stay by virtue of MCR 9.115(K). After review proceedings were held in accordance with MCR 9.118, the Board affirmed the hearing panel’s decision in its entirety. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $2,883.88.

(Mike Frisch)