Henry Baskin, former Oakland University Board of Trustees Chairperson, received a reprimand from the State of Michigan Attorney Grievance Board Wednesday for the conflict of interest complaint brought against him by Robert Edick, deputy administrator of the Attorney Grievance Commission in April 2011. He is also required to pay all administrative costs and fees.

“What is important in this case is that, after considering all of the circumstances – including Mr. Baskin’s exemplary record as a lawyer and public citizen – the hearing panel has found that the perceived conflict of interest – which is all that is involved here – did not in any way injure a client who, 10 years ago as a result of Mr. Baskin’s advocacy, received a record-setting divorce judgment in her favor,” said Kenneth Mogil, one of Baskin’s two attorneys. “It is also important that the panel agreed that there will be no interruption of Mr. Baskin’s fine service to the community and his clients.”

According to Mogil, a reprimand means Baskin is able to return to his job without any interruption.

Edick alleged that Baskin’s relationship with a woman he was representing in a divorce case was a conflict of interest and could have had an affect on her settlement, which included more than $50,000 in monthly alimony, a $2.1 million home in Grosse Pointe Farms and half her husband’s stake in the company J.M. Olson Corp.

The couple had a long-term relationship in 1999 but are no longer together. While they were dating, Baskin said the two would attend holiday parties, family gatherings and social events together, but he was unaware the relationship would have any ethical affect on the outcome of her settlement.

According to the Attorney Discipline Board’s formal complaint against him, Baskin allegedly “violated the standards or rules of professional conduct adopted by the supreme court” while representing a client from 1999 to 2004. Additionally, the complaint states  Baskin “engaged in conduct that is contrary to justice, ethics, honesty or good morals.”

All charges, except for a conflict of interest charge, were dropped in May and Baskin pled no contest to the conflict of interest charge and sought a no-discipline charge at the Attorney Grievance Offices in Detroit on July 31.

Baskin has been an attorney for 54 years at the Baskin Law Firm PC in Birmingham. He served as chairperson of the BOT at OU from 1996-2012.