Court suspends Hull after bar overseers recommend it

Tue, 08/28/2018 - 6:00am

The Overseers of the Bar requested the Maine Supreme Judicial Court suspend attorney Jonathan Hull of Newcastle, over multiple violations of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct.

Hull allegedly took funds from the Cheseborough Program of Bath, a nonprofit supporting the Bath-Tsugaru sister city and student exchange program. He was its fiscal agent. The funds were ultimately returned to the program after multiple demands from its officers, according to court records. Hull was treasurer for two years, and controlled the bank accounts.

On Aug. 24, the court issued an order that Hull would be suspended as an attorney in Maine, as of 5 p.m. on that date until a further order from the court.

The court ruled Hull’s misconduct served “as an imminent threat to clients, the public, and the administration of justice.”

Hull was also told to vacate his law office, including his home office, and cease operation of his websites, social media accounts and any other advertising of his legal services during his suspension. He turned over his files, computers, keys and passwords over to a court-appointed receiver and was barred from removing any funds, files, checkbooks, data, financial and bank records.

Hull is barred from service as a fiduciary and was ordered to relinquish any position as one.

David Levesque, Esq., was named as receiver, together with the Overseers of the Bar. The receivers will use Hull’s bank accounts to “prudently wind down the practice.”