The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board has issued a reprimand against Thomas M. Ripley (P40192) of Shelbyville, Michigan, effective September 5, 2025, following consent discipline proceedings.
The reprimand was imposed pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 9.115, which governs attorney discipline proceedings.
Background: Consent Discipline
According to the notice, Ripley and the Grievance Administrator filed a Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline under MCR 9.115(F)(5). The stipulation was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by Berrien County Hearing Panel #1.
Ripley admitted to the factual allegations and professional misconduct set forth in Count One of the formal complaint. By agreement of the parties, Count Two of the complaint was dismissed.
The admitted misconduct arose from Ripley’s representation of a client in a divorce case, where he neglected the matter and failed to properly oversee client funds.
Misconduct Findings
Based on Ripley’s admissions and the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel found that he committed professional misconduct by:
- Neglecting a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of MRPC 1.1(c).
- Failing to keep a client reasonably informed and failing to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a).
- Failing to implement reasonable supervisory measures over a nonlawyer assistant, in violation of MRPC 5.3(a).
- Failing, despite having direct supervisory authority, to ensure a nonlawyer assistant’s conduct complied with professional obligations, in violation of MRPC 5.3(b).
- Engaging in conduct that exposes the legal profession or courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2).
- Engaging in conduct contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3).
The misconduct included failure to oversee client funds, which were misappropriated by Ripley’s secretary for personal use.
Panel Order and Sanctions
In accordance with the stipulation of the parties, the hearing panel ordered that:
- Ripley be reprimanded, effective September 5, 2025.
- Ripley pay costs in the amount of $924.26.
No suspension was imposed.
What This Means
Attorneys remain professionally responsible for client matters and client funds, even when tasks are delegated to staff. Michigan’s rules require lawyers to implement and maintain supervisory safeguards to prevent misuse of funds and neglect of client cases.
This case highlights how failures of oversight and supervision can result in public discipline, even where misconduct is carried out by non-lawyer staff.
