Ed. A good friend of mine submitted this story, and asked that his name and the names of all concerned be withheld.
After reading it, I understand why.
Not all the lexfugit.com "you can't make this stuff up" stories are funny.
"In the late 80's I was a staff attorney with the AGC, doing a reinstatement case of a black attorney in Lansing. The petitioner was represented by counsel, who also happened to be black. The three hearing panel members were white. During a recess the hearing panel chairperson says to me {outside of the hearing of the petitioner or his counsel} that he "did not understand why those people were allowed to practice law in the first place". I immediately advised the attorney for the petitioner what had been said, and I pledged my support if his client wanted to ask for a new panel. Sort of a recusal after the fact. I then got on the phone and advised the Executive Director of the ADB(Attorney Discipline Board), about what was said.
Petitioner elected to proceed [why not as it was a free play since the panel was offside before the snap], and reinstatement was granted by a vote of 2 to 1. I understand that the Executive Director spoke with the other two panel members, and I believe that they confirmed the events as I had described them. The ADB disbanded the hearing panel, and the chairperson never sat on any hearing panel ever again."
I will buy my friend a beer or whatever his poison of preference may be, at the time and place of his choosing.
Well done, young man.
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