Clinton Township attorney arraigned, allegedly accepted a retainer while law license suspended

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido has announced that 55-year-old Ziad Khalel of Clinton Township has been arraigned on a felony charge stemming from him allegedly accepting a retainer for legal fees when he was legally suspended from the practice of law in Michigan.

Khalel allegedly accepted a $10,000 retainer last December to represent a client as an attorney on legal matters.

It is further alleged that Khalel’s Michigan law license was suspended on October 20, 2025, after pleading guilty to Health Care Fraud, a felony. Ziad was not to practice law, retain clients or advertise.

Khalel was arraigned Tuesday in the 41A District Court in Sterling Heights on the following charges:

False Pretenses - $1,000 or More but Less Than $20,000, a 5-year felony

Habitual Offender – Second Offense Notice, an aggravating sentencing factor

Khalel received a $7,500 personal bond.

He is scheduled to appear before Judge Eric Douglas Shepherd at 41B District Court for a Probable Cause Conference on June 4.

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