UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
IN RE: SUSPENSION OF ATTORNEYS
SOLELY FOR NON-PAYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
STATE BAR OF MICHIGAN DUES
______________________________________/ NO. 20-AD-032
On March 13, 2020, the State Bar of Michigan published notice of a large number of
attorneys suspended from practice solely for non-payment of dues. Attorneys who cure their
dues delinquency (including payment of a separate reinstatement fee) will be automatically
reinstated by the State Bar to good standing. Our Court normally applies reciprocal discipline
under our Local Rules. However, unlike the State Bar of Michigan, our Local Rules do not
provide a process for automatic reinstatement.
A suspension solely for non-payment of State Bar dues does not amount to professional
misconduct, or otherwise suggest an inability to meet the standard of practice established for
persons admitted to practice before this Court. Moreover, the process for suspending attorneys
from the Bar of this Court, and then reinstating them upon their payment of dues to the State Bar
of Michigan, is administratively time-consuming for the Court.
Accordingly, in my capacity as Chief Judge of the District, and after consultation with and
the unanimous consent of the other Judicial Officers of the District, I determine under Local
General Rule 2.3 (b)(ii) that reciprocal suspension from the Bar of this Court for any of the
attorneys suspended by the State Bar of Michigan on March 13, 2020, solely for non-payment of
their State Bar dues is not warranted and will not be imposed by this Court. Nothing in this Order
limits the power of an authorized Judicial Officer, or panel of Judges, from imposing appropriate
discipline on an attorney who fails, without good cause, to cure a dues delinquency to the State
Bar of Michigan.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
FOR THE COURT:
Dated: April 17, 2020
ROBERT J. JONKER
CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
