Case Information
Attorney: Rebecca S. Tieppo (P 62311)
Case No.: 25-057-GA
County: Wayne
City: Livonia, Michigan
Discipline: 180-Day Suspension
Effective Date: January 26, 2026
Quick Facts
Who is the attorney?
Rebecca S. Tieppo, P 62311, Livonia, Michigan.
What discipline was imposed?
A 180-day suspension from the practice of law.
Why was discipline imposed?
Professional misconduct in a criminal representation, including lack of preparation, failure to communicate, and false statements to a client, resulting in a judicial finding of ineffective assistance of counsel.
Did the attorney participate in the disciplinary process?
No. The matter proceeded by default after the respondent failed to answer.
Were costs assessed?
Yes. Costs of $1,761.86 were assessed.
Discipline Summary
The Attorney Discipline Board ordered the 180-day suspension of Rebecca S. Tieppo’s Michigan law license following findings of serious professional misconduct during her representation of a client in a criminal matter.
The suspension follows a judicial finding of ineffective assistance of counsel and multiple violations of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct.
Applicable Court Rules
This matter proceeded under Michigan Court Rules and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct governing competence, communication, candor, honesty, and disciplinary compliance, including:
Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct
- MRPC 1.1(b) – Lack of preparation adequate to the circumstances
- MRPC 1.4(a) – Failure to keep client reasonably informed
- MRPC 3.2 – Failure to expedite litigation
- MRPC 3.3(a)(1) – False statement of material fact to a tribunal
- MRPC 8.4(b) – Conduct involving dishonesty or misrepresentation
- MRPC 8.4(c) – Conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice
Michigan Court Rules
- MCR 9.104(1)–(3) – Grounds for discipline
- MCR 9.104(6) – Misrepresentation in disciplinary matters
- MCR 9.115 – Disciplinary proceedings
As with all attorney discipline matters, this action falls under Michigan Court Rules, Chapter 9, including the Attorney Discipline Board’s authority under MCR 9.115.
Underlying Conduct
Following proceedings conducted pursuant to MCR 9.115, Tri-County Hearing Panel #10 found that Tieppo committed professional misconduct during her representation of a client in a criminal case.
The panel found that Tieppo:
- Failed to adequately prepare for the representation,
- Failed to communicate with her client regarding the status of the case, and
- Made false statements of material fact to her client.
Tieppo’s lack of preparation directly contributed to a judicial finding of ineffective assistance of counsel in the underlying criminal matter.
Hearing Panel Findings
Based on the respondent’s default and the evidence presented, the panel found that Tieppo committed professional misconduct by:
- Handling a legal matter without preparation adequate to the circumstances, in violation of MRPC 1.1(b)
- Failing to keep the client reasonably informed, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a)
- Failing to expedite litigation, in violation of MRPC 3.2
- Knowingly making or failing to correct false statements of material fact, in violation of MRPC 3.3(a)(1)
- Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty or misrepresentation, in violation of MRPC 8.4(b)
- Making knowing misrepresentations during a disciplinary investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(6)
The panel also found violations of MCR 9.104(1)–(3) and MRPC 8.4(c).
Sanction
The hearing panel ordered that Rebecca S. Tieppo’s license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for 180 days, effective January 26, 2026.
Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,761.86.
Tieppo’s Michigan law license had been continuously suspended since May 29, 2025, pursuant to a prior Notice of Suspension With Conditions issued in Grievance Administrator v Rebecca S. Tieppo, Case No. 22-82-GA.
Why This Matters
This case highlights the severe professional consequences that follow ineffective assistance of counsel, particularly in criminal cases where a client’s liberty is at stake.
It also underscores that misrepresentation and lack of candor, both to clients and during disciplinary proceedings, substantially aggravate misconduct. When attorneys fail to prepare, fail to communicate, and fail to be truthful, the harm extends beyond a single client and undermines confidence in the justice system itself.
