MEMBERS WILLIAM P. HAMPTON
CHAIRPERSON LORI McALLISTER VICE-CHAIRPERSON WILLIAM L. MATIHEWS, CPA
SECRETARY REV. IRA COMBS, JR. GEORGE H. LENNON BILLY BEN BAUMANN, M.D. HON. RICHARD F. SUHRHEINRICH WILLIAM J. DANHOF ANDREA L. SOLAK
STATE OF MICHIGAN ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK A. ARMITAGE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
JENNIFER M. PETIY LEGALASSISTflNT
21 1 WEST FORT ST. SUITE 1410 DETROIT",MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHuNE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571 WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (Pending Appeal)
Case No. 05-26-GA Notice Issued: September 19, 2007 Jamal J. Hamood, P 40442, Dearborn, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #14.
1. Suspension - 30 Days 2. Effective September 14,2007 The hearing panel found that respondent entered into a business relationship with one client without sufficiently advising her, in writing, in a manner which could be reasonably understood, in advance of her executing an Authorization to Disburse Funds, that she should seek the advice of other counsel. The panel acknowledged that language regarding the right to seek other counsel
appears in the Authorization to Disburse Funds, but found that the client was not given sufficient time, prior to signing the document, to actually read, understand, and, if necessary, act upon a
document that was not in her native language. Additionally, respondent entered into a business transaction with that same client without sufficiently advising her of the risks of the transaction and reasonably allOWing her to seek the advice of other counsel. In a separate matter, the panel found that respondent failed to safeguard the property of a third person; failed to promptly deliver the entire amount of an overpayment ($29,986.50), as soon as he was made aware of its existence; failed to keep the overpayment separate once he was aware of its existence; and misappropriated the excess funds by disbursing those funds as part of the settlement of another client's matter.
Respondent was found to have committed professional misconduct in violation of MCR 9. 104(A)(2) and (3); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.8(a); 1.15(a)-(d) , and 8.4(b).
The panel ordered that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for 30 days. The Grievance Administrator filed a timely petition for review and this matter will be scheduled for a hearing before the Attorney Discipline Board.
Dated:
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