For the Public
Information for anyone who wants to file a complaint, understand the disciplinary process, or learn about attorney regulation in Michigan.
How to File a Request for an Investigation
Anyone may file a Request for Investigation against an attorney licensed by the State Bar of Michigan, or otherwise permitted by a court to practice in the state, by completing and signing the AGC's Request for Investigation form or by sending in a signed letter.
The form or letter must be signed and sufficiently describe the alleged misconduct (including approximate time and place). The Request for Investigation may include copies of any relevant documents.
Requests for Investigation are not accepted electronically or by facsimile at this time.
A copy of the Request for Investigation form can be requested by calling the AGC at 313-961-6585, or can be downloaded below.
Send Requests for Investigation to:
Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission755 W. Big Beaver Rd. - Suite 2100
Troy MI 48084
Please note: Do not bind or staple your documents in order to facilitate scanning.
The Grievance Administrator may also institute an investigation on his own based upon knowledge gained from other ways, such as news articles, court opinions, or information received in the course of a disciplinary investigation.
Download Investigation FormConfidentiality of AGC Investigations
Understanding privacy protections during the investigation process
During Investigation
While a matter is under investigation, the complainant or respondent may contact the associate counsel assigned to their file at any time. However, the associate counsel cannot comment on the specifics of the investigation (such as whether and who is being interviewed, what records have been obtained) as court rules preclude such disclosures.
Matters Disposed Without Formal Complaint
Should the Commissioners dispose of a matter without the filing of a formal complaint against the respondent, the court rules prevent the Commissioners, the Grievance Administrator, or the Grievance Administrator's staff from disclosing or discussing the matter with any person other than the complainant or respondent. Such matters can be disclosed to third parties only if the respondent authorizes disclosure.
When Formal Complaints Are Filed
In matters in which the Commissioners authorized the filing of a formal complaint with the Attorney Discipline Board, the request for investigation and the respondent's answer may be viewed by interested persons.
Public Access: Proceedings before the Attorney Discipline Board and its hearing panels are open to the public as are the records of such proceedings. The Grievance Administrator and his staff are not permitted to disclose an attorney's record of prior grievances which did not result in formal proceedings.
The Investigative Process
How investigations are conducted and resolved
1Initiation & Intake
An investigation is initiated by the filing of a request for investigation (also referred to as a "grievance"). The Grievance Administrator can initiate a request for investigation in his own name as well.
A request for investigation filed by a complainant is initially evaluated by the Intake Process to promptly determine whether an answer is required. In most instances, the request for investigation must be answered by the attorney (respondent).
The Intake Process will again evaluate the matter to determine whether additional investigation is warranted. If not, the Grievance Administrator has the authority to dismiss the request for investigation. A request for reconsideration may be filed by a complainant if the request for investigation has been dismissed at this stage.
2Investigation Phase
If additional investigation is needed, the matter is assigned to staff counsel. Investigations can vary in terms of length of time and in gathering materials or conducting research. The Grievance Administrator has non-attorney staff whose duties include gathering material and conducting witness interviews at the direction of staff counsel. When the investigation is concluded, the matter is submitted to the Commission (which meets on a monthly basis) for review and a determination.
3Commission Determination
There are essentially four different options the Commission can take:
Close the File
The matter is closed with no further action.
Consensual Admonition
Issue a consensual admonition to the respondent, which generally remains non-public.
Contractual Probation
Place the respondent on consensual contractual probation, which also generally remains non-public.
Formal Charges
Authorize the filing of formal charges with the Attorney Discipline Board.
Notification: The parties are advised in writing of the Commission's decision regarding the action taken.
Formal Disciplinary Proceedings
Understanding the formal complaint and discipline process
Upon completion of the investigation, the matter is submitted to the Commission for a final determination. When warranted, the Commission can authorize the Grievance Administrator to file a formal complaint alleging professional misconduct against an attorney (respondent), as authorized by MCR 9.109(B)(6).
A formal complaint is filed with the Attorney Discipline Board. The Attorney Discipline Board is a part of the Supreme Court that is responsible for settling disputes. The ADB appoints a hearing panel consisting of three volunteer attorneys to preside over the matter. The matter can be decided through a public hearing following which the hearing panel must issue a report determining whether the attorney engaged in misconduct.
If misconduct is not found, the formal complaint must be dismissed. If misconduct is found, the hearing panel must then hold a hearing regarding the appropriate discipline to impose. Alternatively, the Grievance Administrator and the respondent can file a stipulation for order of consent discipline without the need of a hearing. The hearing panel can impose public discipline consisting of a reprimand, suspension, disbarment, or probation.