NOTICE OF REPRIMAND (By Consent)
Case No. 95-13-GA William M. White, P-25636, Mt. Clemens, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Tri-County Hearing Panel #101.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective May 17, 1995. The respondent and the Grievance Administrator filed a stipulation for consent order of discipline pursuant to MCR 9.115(F)(5), which was approved by the hearing panel and the Attorney Grievance Commission.
Respondent was retained to represent a client in a Social Security matter. He filed the appropriate documents with the Social Security Administration and appeared his client's behalf before an Administrative Law Judge. An award was subsequently rendered in favor of his client. Thereafter, respondent submitted a fee petition to the Social Security Administration seeking approval of a $3,646.50 attorney fee. Respondent was subsequently authorized by the Social Security Administration to charge and receive a fee of $2,000, and he received payment in this amount. Respondent filed an appeal again requesting approval of a fee of $3,646.50. Respondent's appeal was denied.
Respondent pled nolo contendere to allegations that he accepted an additional $1,650.75 from his client for his representation in the Social Security matter; and failed to return any portion of the $1,650.75 to his client upon demand.
Respondent's conduct was alleged to be in violation of MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.5(a); 1.15(b); 1.16(d); 3.4; and 8.4(a)-(c).
Costs were assessed in the amount of $518.96.