► Attorney Michael Hoffman of Bismarck, ND; ethical dwarf Print E-mail
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Attorney Michael Hoffman of Bismarck, ND; ethical dwarf

 
The state of North Dakota presented Michael Ray Hoffman with a law license in 1986 after he graduated from Southern Methodist University (SMU) Law College. In addition, the state of Texas provided Michael with a law license in 1980.
 
The Disciplinary Board found Michael Guilty of the following misconduct.
 
In one matter, Michael represented Mark Steinbach concerning his murder conviction. Michael began the representation while Steinbach’s appeal of his conviction was pending before the North Dakota Supreme Court. It was contemplated that Michael would appear for oral arguments before the Court, pursue conviction relief, and federal habeas corpus proceedings on Steinbach’s behalf.
 
Michael argued the case before the Supreme Court, but Steinbach’s conviction was upheld. The cutoff date for filing federal habeas corpus relief is 1 year and 90 days from the date the North Dakota Supreme Court affirmed Steinbach’s conviction.
 
Subsequently, Steinbach filed his petition for federal habeas corpus with the US District Court for North Dakota. However, his petition was summarily dismissed with prejudice (barred from ever filing it again) because the time to so act had passed.
 
Michael failed to ascertain the time to file for state post conviction relief so as to toll the time Steinbach had to file for federal habeas corpus relief. Therefore, Michael’s gross negligence and incompetence deprived Steinbach of the possibility of federal habeas corpus relief.
 
As one would suspect, this wasn’t Michael’s 1st bite at the Attorney Misfit Apple Tree. Michael previously received a complimentary admonishment for misconduct for failing to account for money paid to him and for failing to communicate with a client.
 
As a consequence of his misconduct, the enablers for Attorney Misfits sitting on the North Dakota Supreme Court punished Michael by gifting him with a complimentary reprimand.
 
As we speak (ca. March 2013), Michael continues to practice in the Bismarck, North Dakota area.
 

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