Deposition Misbehavior

The Attorney Grievance Board of Michigan ordered a reprimand of an attorney who belittled opposing counsel during the course of 14 depostions over a period of several years. Highlights of the "insulting and demeaning language" are contained in the appendix to the opinion. The Board increased the proposed sanction of reprimand by adding a two-year period of probation but rejected the Grievance Administrator's suspension recommendation. Michigan lawyers are warned that the presumptive sanction for such behavior in future cases will be suspension. (Mike Frisch)