FINAL NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 04-122-GA Notice Issued: October 30, 2006 William D. Hunter, P 30911, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board modifying Tri-County Hearing Panel #15's order of suspension and increasing discipline to a revocation.
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Revocation
Effective December 7, 2005 1
The hearing panel found that respondent failed to file a witness list or jury instructions in a criminal matter. In a separate matter, respondent failed to obtain probate court permission before selling an asset of an estate, and falsely stated in a purchase agreement that his client had been appointed personal representative. Finally, in a third matter, respondent entered into a business transaction with his client without giving his client a reasonable opportunity to seek the advice of independent counsel.
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; 1.7(b); 1.8(a); 3.3(a)(2); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent=s license be suspended for three years and that he pay restitution in the amount of $10,000.00.
Respondent filed a timely petition for review and motion for stay of discipline and the Grievance Administrator filed a cross-petition for review. The Board scheduled the matter for hearing but denied respondent=s motion for a stay of discipline. On August 11, 2006, the Board issued an order affirming the panel=s findings of misconduct and restitution but increasing the discipline from a three-year suspension to a revocation of respondent=s license.
Respondent filed a timely motion for reconsideration and stay of discipline which were both denied by the Board on September 28, 2006. Total costs were assessed in the amount of $4,339.35.
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.