Earlier this month, the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board issued a Notice of Automatic Interim Suspension for Christopher J. Woolf (P‑79877). According to the notice, Woolf was convicted on August 7, 2025, in Ingham County on multiple serious charges, including:
- Child sexually abusive activity
- Using computers to commit a crime
- Accosting a child
- Additional related computer crimes
Because his conviction triggered automatic rules under Michigan court rules, his law license has been suspended pending further proceedings.
Woolf is reportedly a former state administrative law judge, which adds to the gravity of the situation. Multiple media reports have flagged his prior role in Michigan’s administrative court system.
Why This Matters
1. The powerful must still be held accountable
It’s not enough that someone holds a bench, a robe, or a credential. When allegations especially of sexual misconduct involving minors are proved, there must be consequences. The fact that an adjudicator himself now faces criminal judgment erodes the myth that judges are beyond reproach. If anything, it makes a stronger argument that they should be held to much higher standards.
2. Automatic suspensions protect the public
Michigan’s rules allow for the automatic interim suspension of an attorney’s license once a felony conviction is entered. This ensures that someone convicted of grave crimes cannot continue to practice law while formal disciplinary proceedings proceed. It’s a safeguard, though not sufficient alone, in preserving public trust.
3. Discipline is separate from criminal justice
Even after time is served for the criminal conviction, the ADB (Attorney Discipline Board) must hold its own hearing to determine whether permanent disbarment or other sanctions are warranted.
Open Questions & What to Watch
- Will the ADB revoke Woolf’s license permanently?
- Will civil suits emerge from his misconduct, given the severity of charges?
- How will this event impact public perception of Michigan’s administrative law system?
- Will there be reforms to judicial or ethics oversight in response?
A Call to Accountability
We’ve long emphasized that transparency and oversight must apply at all levels of power; including judges, hearing officers, and administrative decision makers. If we are going to talk about systemic justice reform, this is a case we cannot let pass quietly.
The victims deserve both criminal accountability and public confidence that our legal system can police itself. We’ll be tracking developments in Mr. Woolf’s disciplinary proceedings and any related civil actions.
If you have any documents or knowledge related to this case, or similar cases in your region, please reach out to us at hello@clutchjustice.com.
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