NOTICE OF SUSPENSION AND RESTITUTION Case No. 02-133-GA; 02-144-FA Notice Issued: August 13, 2003 Reginald O. Hamilton, P 26213, Detroit, Michigan, by the Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #27.
1. Suspension - 3 Years 2. Effective August 13, 2003 1 The hearing panel found, by default, that respondent abandoned the representation of two clients; and failed to refund the unearned portion of attorney fees in those matters. In one matter, respondent failed to deposit funds in a segregated account; and misappropriated those funds. In another matter, respondent failed to appear at a court hearing causing the case to be dismissed. Additionally, respondent shared legal fees with a non-lawyer; engaged in a partnership with a non-lawyer, the activities of which included the practice of law; and knowingly misled and deceived a client as to the relationship between himself and the non-lawyer. Finally, respondent failed to file answers to two requests for investigation and two formal complaints served by the Grievance Administrator.
Respondent=s conduct was in violation of MCR 9.104(A)(1)-(4) and (7); 9.113(A); 9.113(B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.16(d); 3.2; 3.4(c); 8.1(a)(2); and 8.4(a) and (c).
The hearing panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be suspended for three years and that he pay restitution in the aggregate amount of $5,485.00. Costs were assessed in the amount of $1,710.33.
1 Respondent=s license to practice law in Michigan has been revoked since April 16, 2003. See Notice of Revocation and Restitution dated April 17, 2003.