NOTICE OF REVOCATION Case No. 05-11-GA; 05-15-GA Notice Issued: November 22, 2006 William D. Hunter, P 30911, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #65.
1.
2.
Revocation
Effective November 17, 2005 1
The hearing panel found that respondent, in a wrongful death matter, failed to hold property of his client or third persons in his possession separate from his own property; failed to notify all persons who had an interest in the funds he held; and applied a $16,000.00 payment toward his attorney fees without prior approval of the court. In a drug case, respondent abandoned the representation; failed to deliver to his client any unearned fees at the conclusion of the representation; failed to refrain from making false statements under oath; and failed to cooperate in the investigation of a request for investigation. In a separate criminal matter, respondent failed to refund any unearned portion of the fee upon his discharge or withdrawal. In a second drug case, respondent abandoned the representation without notice to his client; failed to hold all funds paid to him for services to be rendered in an IOLTA account; failed to hold all funds in dispute in a separate account; and failed to refund any advance payment that had not been earned at the termination of the representation. In a criminal appeal, respondent failed to protect and maintain any funds which were provided by his client for a specific purpose; failed to maintain fees paid to him for future services in an IOLTA account; failed to provide his client with competent representation; failed to represent his client diligently and expeditiously; failed to further his client=s objectives through reasonable means permitted by law; and failed to respond to reasonable requests for information from his client as to the status of his matter.
Respondent=s conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.5(a); 1.15(a)-(b) and (d); 1.16(d); 8.1(a)(1); and 8.4(a)-(c). The hearing panel ordered that respondent=s license be revoked and assessed costs in the amount of $5,070.27.
1 Respondent has been continuously suspended from the practice of law in Michigan since June 1, 2003. Please see Notice of Suspension and Restitution, dated February 26, 2003.