MEMBERS WILLIAM P. HAMPTON
LORIMCALUSTER VICE-C!-IAJRPERSON WILLIAM L. MATTHEWS, CPA SECRETARY REV. IRA COMBS, JR.
BILLY BEN BAUMANN, M.D. HON. RICHARD F. SUHRHEINRICH WILLIAM J. DANHOF ANDREA L. SOLAK
STATE OF MICHIGAN
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BOARD vu, : ~ TUEBO • ~
JOHN F. VAN BOLT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JENNIFERM. PETTY LEGALASSISTANT
21 1 WEST FORT ST. DETROIT, MICHIGAN 48226-3236 PHONE: 313-963-5553 FAX: 313-963-5571 WWW.ADBMICH.ORG
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION (Pending Appeal)
Case No. 06-95-GA Notice Issued: March 27, 2007 Walter W. Halmagy, P 34662, Ann Arbor, Michigan by the Attorney Discipline Board Washtenaw County Hearing Panel #2. 1. Suspension - 1 Year
2. Effective March 13, 2007 Respondent failed to file an answer to the formal complaint but appeared at the public hearing, where he entered a plea of nob contendere to all of the allegations in the formal complaint. The panel accepted respondents plea and found that respondent, in a probate action, tendered a $150.00 check to the court, drawn on his client trust account, which was returned due to insufficient funds. The court repeatedly contacted respondent seeking payment, including
scheduling three separate show cause hearings which respondent did not attend. In a real estate transaction, respondent offered to resolve the matter and took $75.00 from his client, along with $1,500.00 so respondent could repay the opposing party. However, respondent did not repay the money and did not settle the matter, which resulted in a default judgment against his client, and he did not return the $1,500.00 to his client. Additionally, respondent failed to answer a request for investigation, and, in a sworn statement to the Attorney Grievance Commission, he made intentionally false statements of material facts when he stated that he had negotiated on behalfof his real estate client and had returned the $1,500.00 to his client.
Respondents conduct was in violation of MCR 9.1 04(A)(1 )-(7); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.1 5(b)(3); 1.16(d); 3.4(c); 8.1(a)(1); 8.1(a)(2); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The panel ordered that respondents license to practice law be suspended for one year. on March 12, 2007, respondent filed emergency petitions for review and a stay of discipline. The Attorney Discipline Board denied the stay of discipline on March 19, 2007, and scheduled the matter for a review hearing on July 19, 2007.
John F~ánBolt MAR 27 2007 Dated: ________________