Rule 9.121 - Attorney Declared to be Incompetent or Alleged to be Incapacitated or Asserting Impaired Ability(A) Adjudication by Court. If an attorney has been judicially declared incompetent or involuntarily committed on the grounds of incompetency or disability, the board, on proper proof of the fact, must enter an order effective immediately transferring the attorney to inactive status for an indefinite period and until further order of the board.(B) Allegations of Incompetency or Incapacity.(1) If it is alleged in a complaint by the administrator that an attorney is incapacitated to continue the practice of law because of mental or physical infirmity or disability or because of addiction to drugs or intoxicants, a hearing panel shall take action necessary to determine whether the attorney is incapacitated. (a) Examination. (i) Upon a showing of good cause that a mental or physical condition is the basis of respondent's incompetency or incapacity as alleged in a complaint by the administrator, a hearing panel may order respondent to submit to one or more medical examination(s) or psychological examination(s) that are relevant to a condition of respondent shown to be in controversy.(ii) If testing is ordered, the administrator and respondent may stipulate to the expert(s) who will conduct the examination(s), prepare a report within 28 days of the conclusion of the examination(s), and provide a copy of said report to both parties. The content of a report prepared by an expert(s) pursuant to this paragraph is admissible into evidence in the proceedings, subject to relevancy objections.(iii) If the administrator and/or respondent hire their own expert(s) to conduct the examination(s), the expert(s) will conduct the examination(s), prepare a report within 28 days of the conclusion of the examination(s), and provide a copy of said report to both parties. A report prepared pursuant to this paragraph is only admissible as substantive evidence upon stipulation by both parties. The respondent will be responsible for the expenses incurred by retaining his or her examiner.(iv) On its own motion or on the motion of either party, the hearing panel may appoint an expert of its own selection to conduct the necessary examination(s). The expert so appointed will conduct the examination(s), prepare a report within 28 days of the conclusion of the examination(s), and provide a copy of said report to both parties. The content of a report prepared by an expert(s) pursuant to this paragraph is admissible into evidence in the proceedings unless, within 14 days of delivery of the report, a party objects, in which case either party may subpoena the expert(s) to testify at the hearing at that party's expense.(b) Expert's Report The expert's report as required by paragraph
(a) shall include: (i) the expert's resume or curriculum vitae;(ii) a statement of facts, and a list of the tests that were administered and the test results;(iii) a diagnosis, prognosis, a statement of limitations on the opinion because of the scope of the examination or testing, and recommendation for treatment, if any; and(iv) no physician-patient privilege shall apply under this rule.(2) The hearing panel shall provide notice to the attorney of the proceedings. Upon the request of a party, or on its own motion, and following a finding of good cause, a panel may recommend the appointment of counsel by the board to represent the respondent if he or she is without representation.(3) If, after a hearing, the hearing panel concludes that the attorney is incapacitated from continuing to practice law, it shall enter an order transferring him or her to inactive status for an indefinite period and until further order of the board.(4) Pending disciplinary proceedings against the attorney must be held in abeyance.(5) Proceedings conducted under this subrule are subject to review by the board as provided in MCR 9.118.(C) Assertion of Impaired Ability; Probation.(1) If, in response to a formal complaint filed under subrule 9.115(B), the respondent asserts in mitigation and thereafter demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that (a) during the period when the conduct that is the subject of the complaint occurred, his or her ability to practice law competently was materially impaired by physical or mental disability or by drug or alcohol addiction,(b) the impairment was the cause of or substantially contributed to that conduct,(c) the cause of the impairment is susceptible to treatment, and(d) he or she in good faith intends to undergo treatment, and submits a detailed plan for such treatment, the hearing panel, the board, or the Supreme Court may enter an order placing the respondent on probation for a specific period not to exceed 3 years if it specifically finds that an order of probation is not contrary to the public interest.(2) If the respondent alleges impairment by physical or mental disability or by drug or alcohol addiction pursuant to subrule (C)(1), the hearing panel may order the respondent to submit to a physical or mental examination in accord with the procedure set forth in MCR 9.121(B)(1)(a). The panel may direct that the expense of the examination be paid by the respondent. A respondent who fails or refuses to comply with an examination order, or refuses to undergo an examination requested by the administrator, shall not be eligible for probation.(3) The probation order (a) must specify the treatment the respondent is to undergo,(b) may require the respondent to practice law only under the direct supervision of other attorneys, or(c) may include any other terms the evidence shows are likely to eliminate the impairment without subjecting the respondent's clients or the public to a substantial risk of harm because the respondent is permitted to continue to practice law during the probation period.(4) A respondent may be placed on probation for up to 3 years. The probation order expires on the date specified in it unless the administrator petitions for, and the hearing panel, board, or court grants, an extension. An extension may not exceed 3 years. A probation order may be dissolved if the respondent demonstrates that the impairment giving rise to the probation order has been removed and that the probation order has been fully complied with, but only one motion to accelerate dissolution of a probation order may be filed during the probation period.(5) On proof that a respondent has violated a probation order, he or she may be suspended or disbarred.(D) Publication of Change in Status. The board must publish in the Michigan Bar Journal a notice of transfer to inactive status. A copy of the notice and the order must be filed and served under MCR 9.118.(E) Reinstatement. An attorney transferred to inactive status under this rule may not resume active status until reinstated by the board's order and, if inactive 3 years or more, recertified by the Board of Law Examiners. The attorney may petition for reinstatement to active status once a year or at shorter intervals as the board may direct. A petition for reinstatement must be granted by a panel on a showing by clear and convincing evidence that the attorney's disability has been removed and that he or she is fit to resume the practice of law. A panel may take the action necessary to determine whether the attorney's disability has been removed, including an examination of the attorney conducted in accord with the procedure set forth in MCR 9.121(B)(1)(a). The panel may direct that the expense of the examination be paid by the attorney. If an attorney was transferred to inactive status under subrule 9.121(A) and subsequently has been judicially declared to be competent, a panel may dispense with further evidence that the disability has been removed and may order reinstatement to active status on terms it finds proper and advisable, including recertification.(F) Waiver of Privilege. By filing a petition for reinstatement to active status under this rule, the attorney waives the doctor-patient privilege with respect to treatment during the period of his or her disability. The attorney shall disclose the name of every psychiatrist, psychologist, physician, and hospital or other institution by whom or in which the attorney has been examined or treated since the transfer to inactive status. The attorney shall furnish to a panel written consent for each to divulge whatever information and records are requested by the panel's medical or psychological experts.