On Friday, March 31, 2023, the Attorney Discipline Board of the State of Michigan issued a Notice of Reprimand and Restitution (By Consent) in relation to Detroit attorney Yvette M. Barrett’s disciplinary charges for professional misconduct.
The case was brought by the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission, case no. 22-56-GA.
According to the Board’s Notice, the panel found that Barrett committed professional misconduct during her representation of a client in various post-verdict proceedings after the client was found guilty of criminal sexual conduct-first degree.
Barrett has been found by the panel to have violated Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct MRPC 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.5(a), 1.15(d), 1.16(d), and 8.4(c), when she:
failed to keep her client reasonably informed about the status of a matter;
charged or collected a clearly excessive fee;
failed to hold property of clients or third persons in connection with a representation separate from the lawyer’s own property;
failed to refund an unearned fee paid in advance;
engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; and
engaged in conduct contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals.
The Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
Barrett and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline which was approved by the Attorney Grievance Committee.
In light of the foregoing facts, Hearing Panel #12 deemed it appropriate to enter an order reprimanding Barrett and ordering Barrett to pay $12, 500 in restitution based on her admitted misconduct.
The Notice of Reprimand reads:
“Yvette M. Barrett, P58142, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #12
Reprimand, effective March 31, 2023″
As of today, Ms. Barrett practices in Detroit as an employment and labor attorney and she has been licensed in Michigan. She graduated from Ohio State University. Her info can be found on Avvo.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
