maryland attorney grievance commission opinions

While appointed as Conservator of the client affairs of a deceased attorney which led to subsequent negotiations with the attorney for the decedents Estate to purchase the law practice, the terms of which were memorialized in a letter, but the Estate never signed an agreement and the sale was never approved by the Court. Copyright 2023 Maryland Judiciary. The basis of the revocation was Respondents additional professional misconduct while subject to the CDAs, which included misrepresentations to a client about a court date, creating a counterfeit hearing notice faxed to a client and misrepresentations to Bar Counsel. If, however, there is an adjudication that no valid purchase agreement exists, then his sharing of fees with the non-lawyer Estate violated Maryland Rule 5.4. Terms of Use/Disclaimer. His conduct specifically violated MRPC Rules 4.1(a)(1) and 4.4(a). - Interim suspension based upon federal criminal conviction of misprision of a felony. BROWN, Michael T. Indefinite Suspension by Consent on December 12, 2012, effective thirty (30) days from the date thereafter, for failing to represent his client with reasonable diligence and competence. In the disciplinary case, the Court of Appeals determined that Respondent systematically concealed from his client and the court that the statute of limitations had expired on [the clients] claim. Respondent also knowingly failed to respond to lawful demands for information by a disciplinary authority. TUN, Harry Indefinitely Suspended on August 22, 2012, by Opinion and Order as a reciprocal action to his District of Columbia suspension for overbilling and submitting false vouchers to the District of Columbia Supreme Court for legal services rendered to indigent defendants in criminal cases. SHOUP, Jonathan H. - Reprimand on August 28, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for unintentionally misappropriating funds in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 16-609. Appointed by Attorney Grievance Commission: 271, 296, 725 A.2d 1069, 1081 (1999), we suspended an attorney indefinitely with the right to apply for reinstatement after one year for violations of MRPC 1.4, 3.1, 3.3, 5.5, 7.1, 7.5, and 8.4. Photo by Diane F. Evartt. FY11 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure Annual Report, FY2018. SHURBERG, Jonathan S. Indefinite Suspension by Consent on September 11, 2012, effective November 10, 2012 (with the right to apply for reinstatement no sooner than six (6) months after November 10, 2012) for misusing client funds, for failing to maintain trust records and for providing a false statement to Bar Counsel. The Maryland Court of Appeals Opinion dated February 25, 2013, cited reasons for the sanction. HUNTER, Deairich Ray - Disbarred on November 6, 2009, effective immediately, by Court of Appeals as reciprocal discipline corresponding to his disbarment in the District of Columbia for failure to pay medical providers pursuant to assignments, improperly withdrawing funds from his escrow account, failure to maintain client funds in escrow, settlement of a case without the clients consent and making misrepresentations. FOLTZ, Richard Nelson, III - Disbarred on November 13, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for commingling funds in his attorney trust account and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation in order to avoid his judgment creditors collection efforts, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15, 8.4(c) and (d) and Maryland Rule 16-607. GREENBERG, Kent L. - Commission Reprimand for failure to safekeep property and commingling funds by failure to deposit clients retainer monies in escrow and instead, deposited them into his operating account. RGGI says it is a market-based effort to cap and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Opinion by Raker, J. KAHL, Jeffrey David Disbarred on January 8, 2013, effective immediately, by Per Curiam Order for misappropriating funds from his law firm and attorney trust account. - Suspended indefinitely by consent for impermissible direct contact with a prospective client and conflict of interest. HARDING, Supriya Miriam Disbarred by Consent on January 2, 2013, effective immediately, for failing to represent her clients with reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to communicate with her clients concerning the status of their matters, for failing to maintain unearned fees in escrow and for failing to respond to requests for information by Bar Counsel. - Commission Reprimand for failure to promptly advise opposing counsel that due to out-of-state medical treatment, Complainant would not be available for her deposition and/or failure to take any other steps to protect her interest, failure to promptly move to postpone the hearing, failure to advise Complainant of a Motion to Compel Discovery and for Sanctions and of the adverse affects it would have on Complainants case, and failure to adequately inform Complainant of the implications that her failure to appear at the hearing would have on her claims, in violation of Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 Reasonable diligence and promptness and 1.4 Communication. - Commission reprimand for attempting to obtain an unreasonable fee. For more information, or to determine if an attorney has been reinstated, please contact the Attorney Grievance Commission at (410) 514-7051. ASH, John D. - Disbarred by consent for lack of diligence in the representation of several clients, failure to return an unearned fee to one such client, providing false information to Bar Counsel and failing ti satisfy outstanding federal and state withholding tax liens recorded against him. FRIEDMAN, Mark Howard Disbarred by Consent on April 19, 2013, for misappropriating escrow funds maintained by his law firm in connection with foreclosure actions. January 2023 Contacts DONOVAN, William Carpenter, Jr. Disbarred by Consent on August 17, 2012, because he embezzled fees from the law firm that employed him and because he abandoned a clients bankruptcy case. Attorney Grievance Commission Appointed by the Supreme Court of Maryland, the Commission oversees the attorney grievance process. South's contract is for $235,000 a year, plus a housing allowance of $3,000 a month, up to $27,000 reimbursement for moving expenses and a sign-on bonus of $35,000, "given the current NIC and. DRISCOLL, Peter R. - Disbarred by consent for neglect and misrepresentation to a client. This case was in public charges following revocation of a Conditional Diversion Agreement and Supplemental Conditional Diversion Agreement (the CDAs) previously approved. PATTON, Richard Valentine, III Disbarred on June 27, 2013, for failing to appear in court on multiple occasions, for lying to two (2) of his clients and Bar Counsel and for engaging in criminal conduct. Interim Suspension was ordered October 31, 2006 based upon conviction of a crime (possession of a controlled dangerous substance), a violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 8.4(b). Court of Appeals Opinion to follow. GLESSNER, Stephen A. There is 1 Attorney General per 2,534,805 people, and 1 Attorney General per 6,702 square miles. WITHERSPOON, Gordon H. - Commission reprimand for engaging in the practice of law while inactive and improper use of Orphans Court letterhead. Not surprisingly, grievance forms complaining of serious misconduct disappear and are never processed. It also supervises the inactive status of lawyers and monitors nonmembers of the Maryland Bar who practice in Maryland. Docket AG No. FRANK, Arthur J. Maryland Departments DECKER, Michael Kenneth Disbarred by Consent on October 18, 2012, for failing to deposit client funds in his attorney trust account, for failing to provide his client with a full accounting of such funds and for failing to comply with a court order. Maryland Constitutional Offices & Agencies In carrying out their functions of evaluating complaints and enforcing ethical standards for lawyers, the Commission and Bar Counsel strive for fairness and equity. Pursuant to the Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act, 10-1601 et seq. ALSTON, Tiffany T. Indefinite Suspension on September 25, 2012, for failure to comply in material ways with the remedial terms of her Conditional Diversion Agreement, resulting in its revocation and the filing of public disciplinary charges. STROTT, George Guild, Jr. Indefinite Suspension by Consent on August 23, 2012, effective on October 22, 2012 (with the right to apply for reinstatement no sooner than thirty (30) days after October 22, 2012) for failing to provide diligent and competent representation and for failing to honor a lien in a personal injury case. 243, 131 A.2d 729 (1957), we disbarred an attorney for inserting slugs into parking meters. Copyright 2023 Maryland Judiciary. His conduct violated the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.1, 1.2(a), 1.3, 1.4(a)(2) and (a)(3), 1.15, 3.3(a) and 8.4(b), (c) and (d); Maryland Rule of Procedure 16-604; and Md. For more information, or to determine if an attorney has been reinstated, please contact the Attorney Grievance Commission at (410) 514-7051. Opinion by Bell, C.J. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC). - Disbarred for stealing money from his law firm. He claimed he had already met with the local Sheriffs department and an Assistant States Attorney and they agreed to pursue charges against you, which were false statements of material fact. For more information, or to determine if an attorney has been reinstated, please contact the Attorney Grievance Commission at (410) 514-7051. McBROOM, Wayne Isaiah - Disbarred by Consent on August 10, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for failure to provide competent representation, failure to act with reasonable diligence, failure to communicate with his clients, failure to safeguard his clients property, failure to refund to his client the unearned portion of his retainer and misrepresentation to the court concerning refunding his fee to his client, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.15, 1.16, 3.3 and 8.4(b), (c) and (d). Commission Reprimand for failing to adhere to the ERISA rules and regulations governing Simple IRA plans sponsored by the law firm, and for failing to deposit employees contributions into their IRAs for a period up to six (6) months. - Disbarred on December 4, 2009 by the Court of Appeals, for violating Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b), (c) and (d), Maryland Rule 16-609 and Md. Terms of Use/Disclaimer. The Commission, through the Office of Bar Counsel, seeks to encourage and promote the ethical practice of law and the highest standards of professionalism by members of the Bar. Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION c/o Office of Bar Counsel 200 Harry S Truman Parkway, Suite 300, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 514-7051 web: http://mdcourts.gov/attygrievance 200 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland, March 2020. Subscribe Attorney Grievance v. Cassilly Annotate this Case Download PDF Search this Case Google Scholar Google Books Legal Blogs Google Web Bing Web Google News Google News Archive Yahoo! REPORTS (MANDATED) Annual Report to Court of Appeals on Disciplinary Fund & disciplinary system due Sept. 1 (Maryland Rule 19-702). Maryland Attorneys FY13 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure. - Commission Reprimand for assisting a non-lawyer in the unauthorized practice of law. Maryland at a Glance ALLISON, Richard Wayne II - Disbarred by the Court of Appeals on June 4, 2010 based upon a reciprocal disciplinary matter in which he was disbarred from the practice of law in the District of Columbia after he pled guilty to committing mail and wire fraud by participating in a scheme to defraud homeowners and mortgage lenders, in violation of Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b), (c) and (d), and 18 U.S.C. - Commission Reprimand for conviction of second degree assault on August 2, 2006 arising from an incident in which he was found to have struck his wife, which conduct the Commission found he violated Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(d). BENNETT, Brian Douglas Commission Reprimand for conflicts of interest and for failure to withdraw from the case on a timely basis. KAPINUS, Bert W. - Commission Reprimand for engaging in professional misconduct in connection with his handling of a clients slip-and-fall personal injury case. TOUSEY, Robert R. - Disbarred by consent for misappropriation of client and other funds. GUBERMAN, Mark S. - Disbarred for misrepresentation to his supervising attorney and creating false documents to support the misrepresentation. NNAKA, Godson M. Disbarred on August 21, 2012 by Per Curiam Opinion and Order, for failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to inform clients about the status of their cases, for knowingly failing to respond to lawful requests for information by Bar Counsel and for engaging in conduct involving misrepresentation to his clients. Commission Reprimand for failure to provide competent representation and to be reasonably diligent. All rights reserved. - Commission Reprimand for engaging in professional misconduct in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC), Rule 8.4(a). Code Ann., Business Occupations and Professions, 10-306. Maryland Attorneys FY06 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure | Maryland Courts 200 Harry S. Truman Parkway Suite 300 Annapolis, Maryland 21401 PHONE: 410-514-7051 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Attorney Grievance Commission and Office of Bar Counsel Maryland Attorneys FY06 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure Andrew Avram has handled workers' compensation matters for employers and workers' compensation carriers since joining the firm in 1990. This list is updated on a monthly basis. - Commission Reprimand for his representation of a Complainant in a custody case in which the Complainant was found in default, the Respondent failed to ensure his complete understanding of the primary reason for his retention and therefore prepared pleadings and discovery requests which were not calculated to serve the clients best interests. Deborah L. Potter, Esq., Chair (chosen by Attorney Grievance Commission) datepicker div display none media only screen and max width 767px .top nav .top menu display block important .top nav .top menu first child display block important .top nav .top menu menu subscribe display none .top. On 2/24/04 a letter was sent on Respondents office letterhead to Complainant which appears to have been signed by Respondent asking her to complete the enclosed Answer form and return it to Respondents office for filing with the Circuit Court for Prince Georges County. Maryland Universities & Colleges GEORGE, Bebe V. - Commission reprimand for naming herself and her legal assistant as beneficiaries of IRAs, annuities and other benefits of a clients estate to whom she was not related. Dismissal With Warnings. He failed to provide competent representation, did not act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing the client and failed to communicate adequately with the client, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4. VANZEGO, Raymond J. In December, 2008 he issued a check to pay a personal obligation. 117-527 select provisions of the 1866 reconstruction treaties between the united states and oklahoma tribes 117th congress (2021-2022) Pursuant to a plea agreement in that matter on August 17, 2009 the State entered a nolle prosequi of the charges in return for his agreement to consent to disbarment. Copyright 2023 Maryland Judiciary. He directed later-paid escrow funds to be used to cover the obligations of which the previously escrowed funds should have been used. PARKER, Jewell Rocheal Indefinite Suspension by Consent on May 16, 2013, for failing to timely pursue her clients matter, for failing to timely issue a refund of the unearned fee, for failing to maintain trust account records, for failing to file state and federal tax returns and for failing to respond timely to requests for information from Bar Counsel. The failure to do so prevented the tribunal from making an informed decision. RIEMAN, Richard Paul, Jr. Disbarred by Consent on September 5, 2012, for engaging in a scheme in which he and Wayne T. Prem enriched themselves at the expense of a trust. MILLAND, Charles Ford - Commission Reprimand for lack of competence by preparing pleadings for his client for relief unavailable to him under Maryland law, failure to safekeep property, failure to open and maintain trust account and failure to deposit client funds in a trust account as a result of not having a trust account, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.15(a) & (c) and Maryland Rules 16-603 and 16-604. Your state attorney general. WEBER, Erin Marie (ANDERSON, Erin Weber) - Interim Suspension on February 15, 2013, effective immediately, as a reciprocal action to her April 27, 2012 Order of Revocation in Virginia for embezzlement. He has never repaid complainants client for the money he owes him, in spite of promises to do so. His conduct was in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(a) and (b) and Maryland Rules 16-604 and 16-607. 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