STATE OF MICHIGAN
Attorney Discipline Board
GRIEVANCE ADMINISTRATOR,
Attorney Grievance Commission,
Petitioner/Appellee,
v Case No. 22-82-GA
REBECCA S. TIEPPO, P 62311,
Respondent/Appellant.
/
ORDER VACATING, IN PART, AND AFFIRMING, IN PART,
FINDINGS OF MISCONDUCT, AND AFFIRMING
30-DAY SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS
Issued by the Attorney Discipline Board
333 W. Fort St., Ste. 1700, Detroit, MI
Tri-County Hearing Panel #8 of the Attorney Discipline Board issued an order on August 28, 2024, suspending respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan for a period of 30 days, effective September 19, 2024, with conditions. 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).
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 review hearing conducted on December 11, 2024.
NOW THEREFORE, for the reasons set forth in the accompanying opinion,
IT IS ORDERED that the hearing panel’s finding that respondent violated MRPC 1.1(c) is VACATED, and the remainder of the panel’s findings are AFFIRMED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the hearing panel’s order suspending respondent’s license for 30 days and requiring respondent to comply with conditions relevant to the established misconduct, entered August 28, 2024, is AFFIRMED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent’s license to practice law in Michigan is SUSPENDED FOR 30 DAYS, EFFECTIVE MAY 29, 2025, 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 respondent is subject to the following conditions:
1. Within 90 days of the effective date of the suspension of respondent’s license, respondent must meet with a representative of the State Bar of Michigan’s Practice Management Resource Center for the purpose of obtaining an assessment of her office procedures. If required, additional sessions will be scheduled to attempt to assure that respondent’s office procedures and practices support compliance with the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct.
2. Respondent must complete at least one continuing education course, the focus of which is on professionalism and civility, and provide proof of completion of such a course within one year of the effective date of the suspension of respondent’s license.
3. Respondent must schedule an assessment by LJAP within 90 days of the effective date of the suspension of respondent’s license, and, if necessary, develop a plan with LJAP to address any ongoing concerns and needs, including mental and physical health and family and financial stressors.
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 herself 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 her 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, 2025, pay costs in the amount of $4,621.10, consisting of costs assessed by the hearing panel in the amount of $4,429.55 and court reporting costs incurred by the Attorney Discipline Board in the amount of $191.55 for the review proceedings conducted on December 11, 2024. Please refer to the attached cost payment instruction sheet for method and forms of payment accepted.
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
By: /s/ Alan Gershel, Chairperson
Dated: April 30, 2025
Board Members Alan Gershel, Peter A. Smit, Rev. Dr. Louis J. Prues, Linda M. Orlans, Jason Turkish, Katie M. Stanley, Tish Vincent, and Kamilia Landrum concur in this decision.
Board Member Andreas Sidiropoulos, MD was absent and did not participate in this decision.