On Monday, September 11, 2023, the Attorney Discipline Board of Michigan affirmed the denial of a petition for reinstatement of an attorney who was disbarred in New Mexico for unethical behavior. The attorney, David Chipman Venie, was disbarred in 2017 for actions including counseling a client to bribe witnesses, revealing client confidences, making material misrepresentations to tribunals and the disciplinary authority, filing frivolous pleadings, and conversion of client funds.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of David Chipman Venie,” with case no. 22-62-RP.
Venie filed a petition for reinstatement in Michigan in August 2022, which was denied by a hearing panel in April 2023. The panel found that Venie had not demonstrated that he desired in good faith to be restored to the privilege of practicing law, nor had he shown that his conduct since the order of discipline had been exemplary and above reproach.
Venie filed a timely petition for a review of the hearing panel’s decision, arguing that the panel’s findings were not supported by the record. The Attorney Discipline Board reviewed the record and found that there was proper evidentiary support for the hearing panel’s conclusions. The Board also found that Venie had not carried his burden of proof as to the criteria found in MCR 9.123(B)(1), (5), and (7) by clear and convincing evidence.
The Board affirmed the hearing panel’s order denying Venie’s petition for reinstatement and ordered him to pay costs in the amount of $195.50.
The Disposition states:
“IT IS ORDERED that the hearing panel’s order denying the petition for reinstatement entered in this matter on April 28, 2023, is AFFIRMED.”
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
