Public Information Promotes Public Protection

Here's a nice new feature of the web page of the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board-- petitions for reinstatement to practice law are now posted on line. The petition has notice that persons interested in either supporting or opposing the application for readmission should contact the responsible disciplinary counsel.

I think that this is a great idea that should be followed by all those jurisdictions (such as Arizona, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Illinois) that have consumer (i.e. public) friendly web pages should incorporate into their sites. All jurisdictions that don't have consumer friendly web pages should but will not until someone (HALT, perhaps) pushes the issue. All public information about attorney discipline proceedings should be available on line if we are serious about public protection as the primary goal of legitimate self-regulation. (Mike Frisch)