Disciplinary Proceedings

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WI Supreme Court

Case Name: OLR v. John O Waters

Case No.: 2015AP1649-D

Focus: Disciplinary Proceedings

Attorney license to practice law suspended for 3 years.

“The following facts are taken from the documents attached to the OLR’s amended complaint relating to the Michigan disciplinary proceedings. The Michigan suspension was based on Attorney Waters’ September 14, 2012 conviction for felony drug offenses, as well as a disciplinary complaint comprised of three separate counts of professional misconduct. These included: neglect of a legal matter entrusted to him, in violation of Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC) 1.1(c); failing to act with reasonable diligence, in violation of MRPC 1.3; failing to adequately communicate with his client, in violation of MRPC 1.4(a); failing to refund unearned fees or release the client file upon being discharged from the representation of a client, in violation of MRPC 1.16(d); engaging in conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice, in violation of MRPC 8.4(c) and Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 9.104(1); engaging in conduct which exposes the legal profession or the courts to obloquy, contempt, censure, or reproach, in violation of MCR 9.104(2); engaging in conduct contrary to justice, ethics, or good morals, in violation of MCR 9.104(3); intentionally failing to respond to a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority, in violation of MRPC 8.1(a)(2); and failing to answer a request for investigation, in violation of MCR 9.104(7) and MCR 9.113(A) and (B)(2).”

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Attorney Derek A. Hawkins is the managing partner at Hawkins Law Offices LLC, where he heads up the firm’s startup law practice. He specializes in business formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, private equity and venture capital funding and mergers & acquisitions. Check out the website at www.hawkins-lawoffices.com or contact them at 262-737-8825.