On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board issued a notice announcing the suspension of attorney Catherine A. Jacobs, effective immediately. The panel found that Jacobs engaged in professional misconduct while representing Sparrow Hospital in cases concerning the appointment of guardians for incapacitated individuals.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Catherine A. Jacobs,” with case no. 19-132-GA.
The decision came after hearings conducted according to the Michigan Court Rules (MCR) 9.115, during which the Kent County Hearing Panel #5 reviewed a five-count formal complaint filed by the Grievance Administrator. Although Count Three of the complaint was dismissed, the panel upheld findings related to the other counts.
In particular, the panel determined that Jacobs violated state law by representing clients where her responsibilities to third parties created a conflict of interest. This action contravened the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC) 1.7(b)(1) and (2). Additionally, Jacobs was found to have knowingly provided false statements of material fact to a tribunal, breaching MRPC 3.3(a)(1).
Regarding Count Two, the panel ruled that Jacobs also made false statements of fact or law to the tribunal and engaged in conduct detrimental to the administration of justice, violating MRPC 8.4(c) and MCR 9.104(1). Count Four further implicated Jacobs in dishonesty and misrepresentation, with violations of MRPC 4.1 and 8.4(b).
In Count Five, the panel found that Jacobs acted as a fiduciary while her representation was limited by her interests, again breaching MRPC 1.7(b)(1) and (2).
The panel decided to suspend Jacobs’ law license for 180 days and imposed a condition related to the identified misconduct. Additionally, costs were assessed at $3,908.87.
Jacobs promptly filed a petition for review and a request to stay the effective date of the suspension order with conditions. On February 22, 2024, the Board granted the respondent’s stay petition, putting the hearing panel’s suspension order on hold while the review process was ongoing.
After conducting the review proceedings in accordance with MCR 9.118, the Board reduced the discipline from a 180-day suspension to a 179-day suspension of Jacobs’ law license in Michigan, while upholding the condition set by the hearing panel.
According to avvo.com, Ms. Jacobs is an estate planning attorney in Lakeview, Michigan. She acquired her law license in Michigan in 1981.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
