The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board has ordered a one-year suspension of Daniel Reid Casey (P75533) of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, following a criminal conviction and subsequent failures to comply with disciplinary requirements.
The suspension is effective October 17, 2025, the same date Mr. Casey was placed on interim suspension for failing to appear at a scheduled misconduct hearing.
🔗 Michigan Court Rules – Chapter 9 (Attorney Discipline, including MCR 9.115 and 9.120)
Case Overview
- Respondent: Daniel Reid Casey, P75533
- City: Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
- County: Chippewa
- Case Numbers: 25-68-JC; 25-69-GA
- Notice Issued: January 7, 2026
- Discipline: Suspension – One Year
- Effective Date: October 17, 2025
Underlying Criminal Conviction
The Grievance Administrator filed a combined notice of filing of judgment of conviction and formal complaintunder MCR 9.120(B)(3).
The notice advised that Mr. Casey was convicted by guilty plea of operating a motor vehicle while impaired, a misdemeanor, in violation of MCL 257.6253A, in:
People v Daniel Reid Casey
91st District Court
Case No. 24-68099-SD-1
Failure to Report and Failure to Cooperate
The formal complaint further alleged that Mr. Casey committed professional misconduct by:
- Failing to report his criminal conviction to the Attorney Discipline Board and Attorney Grievance Commission as required by MCR 9.120(A)(1)
- Failing to answer a Request for Investigation
Mr. Casey did not file an answer, and his default was entered on September 9, 2025. He also failed to appear at the subsequent hearing conducted under MCR 9.115 and 9.120.
As a result, the hearing panel entered an interim suspension under MCR 9.115(H)(1), effective October 17, 2025.
Hearing Panel Findings
After proceedings concluded, Emmet County Hearing Panel #2 found that Mr. Casey committed professional misconduct by:
- Engaging in conduct that violated a criminal law, in violation of MCR 9.104(5) and MRPC 8.4(b)
Based on his default and the evidence presented, the panel further found that Mr. Casey:
- Knowingly failed to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority (MRPC 8.1(a)(2))
- Failed to answer a Request for Investigation (MCR 9.104(7); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2))
- Violated the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC 8.4(a); MCR 9.104(4))
- Engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice (MRPC 8.4(c); MCR 9.104(1))
- Engaged in conduct exposing the legal profession or courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach (MCR 9.104(2))
- Engaged in conduct contrary to justice, ethics, honesty, or good morals (MCR 9.104(3))
Sanction Ordered
The panel ordered that Mr. Casey’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for one year, effective October 17, 2025, the date of his interim suspension.
Costs assessed: $2,121.70
Why This Matters
This case illustrates how criminal convictions combined with non-cooperation significantly compound discipline outcomes. Even where the underlying offense is a misdemeanor, failure to report the conviction, failure to respond to investigations, and failure to appear at hearings can escalate consequences and eliminate opportunities for mitigation.
