NOTICE OF REVOCATION AND RESTITUTION Case Nos. 98-62-GA; 98-84-FA Samuel V. Thomas, P-26693, Detroit, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #19.
1) Revocation; 2) Effective January 6, 2003.1. Respondent was retained to represent a client in securing financing for the purchase of a building. About one month later, the client transferred $25,000 to the bank account of respondent's law firm for use in seeking financing for that purchase.
The panel found, by default, that respondent neglected the matter; failed to maintain the funds in trust on behalf of his client; misappropriated $15,151.90 of the funds for his personal and/or business use; failed to answer the Request for Investigation; and failed to answer the Formal Complaints. Respondent also failed to appear at the disciplinary hearing.
Respondent's conduct was found to be in violation of MCR 9.103(C); MCR 9.104(1)-(4) and (7); MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.15(a) and (b); 8.1(b); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The panel ordered that respondent's license to practice law in Michigan be revoked for the fourth time, effective January 6, 2003, to run concurrent to the Order of Revocation and Restitution in Case Nos. 98-16-GA; 98-37-FA. The panel further ordered that respondent make restitution to his former law partner, who made restitution to the client on respondent's behalf, in the amount of $15,151.90. Costs were assessed in the amount of $176.10. 1. Respondent has been continuously disqualified from the practice of law in Michigan since December 27, 1996.