On Monday, June 30, 2025, the Ohio Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint against Attorney Linda Chugh Ulinski, alleging multiple violations of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct. The complaint, submitted to the Board of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court of Ohio, accuses Ulinski of misconduct involving conflicts of interest, an inappropriate relationship with a client, and mismanagement of funds during her divorce proceedings.
The case is entitled “Disciplinary Counsel v. Linda Chugh Ulinski,” with case no. 2025-010.
The allegations center on her representation of Charles B. Hamad (Charlie) and Hamad Tire, Inc., in the probate case of the estate of Charles W. Hamad, who died in 2014. Hamad Tire, founded by Charles W. Hamad in 1969, operated four auto service and tire retail stores in Northeast Ohio.
After Charles W. Hamad’s death, Charlie was appointed executor of the estate and president of Hamad Tire. The estate included a revocable trust, with Hamad Tire’s real estate owned by the trust and rental income to be distributed equally among Hamad’s six children, including Charlie and his sister, Dr. Christina Hamad, the successor trustee.
The complaint alleges that Ulinski, starting in November 2014, provided legal advice to both Charlie, as executor and Hamad Tire’s representative, and Christina, as trustee, despite a conflict of interest, as the interests of Hamad Tire and the trust were adverse.
In 2015, Charlie retained Ulinski as Hamad Tire’s attorney, replacing the company’s longstanding counsel, Barbara Mushikat. By July 2016, Ulinski also represented Charlie as the estate’s executor, after he terminated Mushikat’s services. The complaint claims Ulinski’s dual representation exacerbated disputes, particularly over Hamad Tire’s failure to pay rent to the trust, leading to tensions among the Hamad siblings.
In April 2017, Christina and her siblings moved to disqualify Ulinski, and in July 2017, the probate court removed Ulinski as counsel for both Hamad Tire and Charlie, citing her conflict of interest and misrepresentation of her involvement with Hamad Tire. In March 2018, Charlie was removed as executor.
Additionally, the complaint alleges that Ulinski developed a personal relationship with Charlie, acting as his sponsor for drug and alcohol addiction in early 2016. By mid-2017, this relationship became sexual, continuing until June 2018, which the Disciplinary Counsel claims violated professional conduct rules prohibiting sexual relationships with clients unless pre-existing.
The complaint further accuses Ulinski of attempting to hide assets during her 2017 divorce from Chris Ulinski. In May 2017, she allegedly transferred $65,000 in earned fees from her Interest on Lawyers Trust Account (IOLTA) to Hamad Tire’s business account to shield the funds from her divorce settlement. After her accountant advised against this, Ulinski returned the funds in June 2017. Chris Ulinski received $40,000 in the divorce settlement finalized in November 2017.
In February 2019, Charlie filed a malpractice lawsuit against Ulinski, which settled in June 2022. He then filed a grievance with the Disciplinary Counsel, prompting the investigation. The complaint charges Ulinski with violating rules on conflicts of interest, client relationships, fund management, and conduct reflecting on her fitness to practice law.
The Disciplinary Counsel seeks sanctions against Ulinski, with the case pending before the Board of Professional Conduct.
The complaint states:
“Relator requests that respondent be found in violation of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct and be sanctioned accordingly.”
According to Avvo.com, Ms. Ulinski is a business attorney in Fairlawn, Ohio. She attended the University of Toledo College of Law. She acquired her law license in Ohio in 1991.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
