California Attorney Gets Off With A Hand Slap In Misconduct Towards Clients

In the "conflict of interest" department, Modesto, California attorney Thomas Patrick Hogan, who also owns real estate and financial services companies, has been punished by the State Bar of California with a hand slap for misconduct in dealing with four clients, according to a story in The Modesto Bee. With respect to his dealings with one client, Hogan used his financial services company to secure a loan for a client facing foreclosure, earning $16,487 in fees from the loan transaction and $6,750 in legal fees, but did not advise the client that she could seek advice from an independent lawyer. Hogan received a public reproval and will be on probation for two years (the story is silent as to whether Hogan was ordered to pay any restitution to any of his clients). For more, see Modesto lawyer disciplined on misconduct allegations.