State Bar of Mich. v. Galloway

The issue raised in these two cases is whether MCL 421.31; MSA 17.533 permits non-lawyers to represent employers in quasi-judicial proceedings before Michigan Employment Security Commission 1 referees. In State Bar of Michigan v Galloway, 2 the Court of Appeals answered affirmatively. In Michigan Hospital Ass’n v Michigan Employment Security Comm, 3 a different Court of Appeals panel reached the opposite conclusion. We granted leave to appeal in both cases. 4 We agree with the Galloway panel’s interpretation of the statute. 5 Therefore, we affirm the decision in Gallo way, and reverse the…