NOTICE OF REPRIMAND (By Consent)
ADB 158-89 George R. Hamo, P-33033, Flint, Michigan by Attorney Discipline Board Oakland County Hearing Panel #17.
1) Reprimand; 2) Effective February 8, 1990. 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. The respondent admitted the allegations of Count I in its entirety and Count II, paragraph (D)(2) of the formal complaint.
Respondent was retained to recover damages on behalf of a minor struck by an automobile driven by an uninsured driver under the influence of alcohol. In the course of his representation, the respondent became aware that the uninsured driver of the automobile had been served alcoholic beverages while visibly intoxicated by a Michigan retail liquor licensee. Respondent neglected to institute suit on behalf of his client against the insurance company of that liquor licensee within the statute of limitations. The respondent also admitted that a transfer of client funds from one trust account to another involved an accounting error resulting in an improper but inadvertent commingling of funds.
Respondent's conduct was alleged to be in violation of Canons 1, 6, 7, and 9 of the Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 1-102(A)(5,6); DR 6-101(A)(3); DR 7-101(A)(1-3); DR 9-102(A) and DR 9-102(B)(2-4). Costs were assessed in the amount of $746.20.