Attorney William Culpepper of Detroit, MI; cheating slacker

The state of Michigan presented William Otis Culpepper with a law license in 1973 after he graduated from the University of Detroit School of Law.

The Tri-County Hearing Panel #18 found Billy guilty of engaging in the following misconduct.

• Engaged in professional misconduct during his representation of a client in a criminal matter
• Entered into a retainer agreement with a mother, to represent her son in his pending criminal matter
• Although the retainer agreement specifically stated that a portion of the fee was non-refundable it contained a provision that stated that in the event his representation was terminated, respondent was only allowed to keep fees that were earned, and costs actually paid
• When Billy received the entire requested fee, he failed to deposit the unearned portion into a trust account
• Instead, Billy deposited the entire amount into his business operating account
• Billy failed to provide a requested invoice and refund of unearned fees to his client’s mother (cheater)
• Billy provided a fee breakdown that was not kept contemporaneously and contained inaccurate dates of worked performed
• Failed to act with due diligence (slacker)
• Failed to keep client informed of status of matter
• Failed to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation
• Failed to communicate the basis or rate of his fee before or within a reasonable time after commencing the representation
• Failed to take reasonable steps to protect a client's interests upon termination of representation, including surrendering property to which the client is entitled and refunding any advance payment of a fee that has not been earned
• Commingled client funds with personal funds

As a direct consequence of his misconduct, the Michigan Supreme Court punished Billy by gifting him with a complimentary 30-day suspension of his law license. Billy was also ordered to refund $10,000 to his former client (victim).

As we speak (ca. December 2022), Billy practices his so-called brand of law with Culpepper & Kinney at 615 Griswold Street in Detroit, Michigan.