The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board has ordered a 60-day suspension of Carl D. Winekoff (P76862) of Phoenix, Arizona, effective October 3, 2025, following a criminal conviction for aggravated assault.
The suspension was imposed pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 9.115 after approval of a consent discipline agreement.
Criminal Conviction and Consent Discipline
According to the notice, Winekoff and the Grievance Administrator filed an Amended Stipulation for Consent Order of Discipline on September 2, 2025. The stipulation was approved by the Attorney Grievance Commission and accepted by Tri-County Hearing Panel #63.
Under the stipulation, Winekoff admitted that on May 31, 2024, he was convicted of one count of aggravated assault, a misdemeanor, in violation of MCL/PACC 750.81A, in People v Carl Douglas Winekoff, Wayne County Circuit Court, Case No. 23-006231-02-FH.
Winekoff also entered a no contest plea to the allegation that the criminal conduct constituted professional misconduct under Michigan’s attorney discipline rules.
Rule Violations Found
Based on Winekoff’s admissions, no contest plea, and the parties’ stipulation, the hearing panel found that he violated the following provisions:
- MCR 9.104(5), by engaging in conduct that violated a criminal law of a state or the United States.
- MRPC 8.4(b), by engaging in conduct involving a criminal law violation that reflects adversely on a lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer.
Discipline Ordered
In accordance with the amended stipulation:
- Winekoff’s license to practice law in Michigan is suspended for 60 days, effective October 3, 2025.
- Costs were assessed in the amount of $771.44.
Why This Matters
Michigan’s discipline system treats criminal convictions as serious ethical breaches when they reflect on a lawyer’s fitness to practice. Even misdemeanor offenses can result in suspension when they undermine public trust in the legal profession. Consent discipline resolves such matters without a contested hearing, but the sanctions remain public and binding.
