The County Press

Michigan Supreme Court names special master in Konschuh JTC case


LANSING — The Michigan State Supreme Court has announced that William J. Caprathe will serve as the special master to hear the Judicial Tenure Commission’s complaint against Circuit Court Judge Byron Konschuh.

On Feb. 6 the JTC filed an eight count 91-page complaint against Konschuh that included 20 specific alleged instances of violation of the Michigan Court Rules (MCR), Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC) and the Michigan Code of Judicial Conduct (MCJC) including “misconduct in office,” “conduct in violation of the standards imposed on members of the bar, as condition of the privilege to practice law,” “conduct that violates a criminal law” and “failure to respect and observe the law.”

Since then the complaint has grown by 14 pages.

Caprathe was first elected as a judge for the 18th Circuit Court in Bay City in 1980 and continued to serve until he retired when his term expired in December 2010.

Following his retirement, Caprathe became an associate at Professional Resolution Experts of Michigan, LLC. Following his retirement Caprathe was president of the Michigan Retired Judges Association from 2013 to 2016.

While on the bench he was Bay County’s Chief Circuit Court judge from 1984 to 1997. In 1998 he was president of the Michigan Judges Association and later chaired the State Bar of Michigan’s Judicial Conference.

Prior to being elected judge, Caprathe worked as a trial attorney for 15 years.

Among other things Caprathe is a certified FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) Arbitrator, a certified

Community Resolution Center mediator and is certified as a civil mediator by the National Judicial College.

No hearing date has been set yet for the JTC complaint against Konschuh and with new material in the amended complaint which was filed Monday, the clock has reset giving Konschuh and his attorney Donald Campbell 14 days to respond.

Phil Foley