The BriggsColegrove PC Case That Demands Reform

A formal complaint has been filed against BriggsColegrove PC attorneys Sarah W. Colegrove (a candidate for probate judge) and Todd E. Briggs (now a probate judge.) BriggsColegrove PC received hundreds of assignments from Wayne County Probte Court judges during their 24-year operation while admittedly engaging those judges in prohibited ex parte communications concerning the case as they routinely sought the judges’ approval of their fees charged to estates they were appointed to protect. This case exemplifies the systemic problems Susan Hubbard is running to fix.

Excessive and Unjustified Fees

Over the course of the one case, BriggsColegrove PC billed the estate $265,000 in fees. These fees were about to be approved by the judge attorney Sarah W. Colegrove was admittedly engaging in ex parte communications until Susan Hubbard objected. The judge had approved BriggsColegrove PC’s fees without addressing basic, legally required questions addressing whether the work performed justified such extraordinary compensation. The judge also surcharged the fees to an estate heir without legal authority.

Violations of Professional Conduct

The formal complaint alleges violations of the Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct, including:

  • MRPC 3.5 — Prohibited ex parte communications with a judge concerning a pending matter, and seeking to influence a judge by prohibited means.
  • MRPC 1.5 — Charging exceissive, unreasonable fees given the nature and scope of the assignment.
  • MRPC 8.4 — Engaging in conduct prejudicial to the aministration of justice, inlcuding behavior that undermines public confidence in the legal system.

Appellate Reversal

The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed the Wayne County probate judge’s orders in this case, finding that the judge’s decisions could not stand, including his order “surcharging” Colegrove’s excessive fees to an estate heir. The appellate court’s reversal of the orders signaled serious flaws with Wayne County Probate Court practices.

Why This Matters

This is not an isolated case. It represents a pattern in Wayne County Probate Court where:

  • Judges appoint attorneys to estates when no appointment is necessary.
  • Court-appointed attorneys accumulate massive fees with insufficient oversight.
  • Judges approve fee petitions without meaningful review.
  • Families and estates bear the financial burden of a system that protects insiders.
  • Complaints are slow to be investigated and rarely result in consequences.

What Susan Will Do Differently

As Probate Court Judge, Susan Hubbard will:

  • Implement rigorous fee review procedures requiring detailed documentation and justification for all attorney fees charged to estates.
  • Establish clear conflict-of-interest policies for court appointments.
  • Create transparent appointment procedures that don’t favor political allies.
  • Take complaints seriously and refer credible allegations of misconduct to the appropriate disciplinary authorities.
  • Prohibit the appointment of attorneys to cases when the law does not require an appointment.

Learn more about Susan’s vision for Wayne County Probate Court.