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maryland attorney grievance commission opinions

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The Respondents Affidavit of Consent in the District of Columbia is under Seal. Suspended by consent for commingling funds in his trust account and medical problems related to the misconduct. THOMPSON, Donald Benson, III Disbarred by Consent on February 21, 2013, for misappropriating funds belonging to the law firm that was his employer. Your state attorney general. Commission Reprimand for failure to provide competent representation and to be reasonably diligent. Occ. Law Firm Info Reviews KAPINUS, Bert W. - Commission Reprimand for engaging in professional misconduct in connection with his handling of a clients slip-and-fall personal injury case. CHAPMAN, Gerald Frederick Indefinitely Suspended on January 31, 2013, effective immediately (with the right to apply for reinstatement no sooner than ninety (90) days thereafter) for misleading clients into believing that they were obtaining representation through a law firm, when in reality, a non-lawyer directed the representation, for sharing fees with the non-lawyer, for charging an unreasonable fee, for failing to hold prepaid fees in trust and for failing to respond to a clients request for information. McCARTHY, Robert Michael - Commission Reprimand for failing to provide competent and diligent representation as Temporary Guardian of the property of his Ward. WALKER-TURNER, John Wayne Sixty (60) day Suspension on August 22, 2012, effective immediately, for lack of competence, failing to act with reasonable diligence, failing to appear at a trial, failing to adequately communicate and account to his client and for engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. STEUART, R. Calvert - Commission Reprimand for failure to take appropriate action on his clients behalf and to communicate with his client concerning the representation, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.3 and 1.4. FADER, Joel Jay Disbarred on May 6, 2013, for commingling personal funds in his trust account, for the unauthorized use of trust funds, for making misrepresentations to an administrative judge, for failing to correct said misrepresentations and for failing to ensure that the conduct of a non-lawyer employee, whom he had direct supervisory authority over, was compatible with his professional obligations. Code Ann., Business Occupations & Professions Article, 10-304 and 10-306. Photo by Diane F. Evartt. Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards KAPOOR - Eric J. YATES, Charles D. - Reprimanded for lack of diligence regarding an immigration matter. they use temp services - Answered by a verified Employment Lawyer . The Attorney Grievance Commission oversees the conduct of both Maryland attorneys and nonmembers of the Maryland Bar who engage in the practice of law in the State. REINHARDT, Richard J. PAGE, Alfred Amos, Jr. Disbarred on March 5, 2013, for intentional misrepresentations of facts to his client, the Court of Appeals, and Bar Counsel as well as misappropriation of unearned client funds. HUTCHISON-SMITH, Erin - Disbarred by Consent on April 1, 2010 by the Court of Appeals for misappropriating fees from two law firms while employed as an associate, which conduct violated Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(a), 8.1(b) and 8.4(b), (c) & (d). WINGERTER, Rex B. 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. When they are initially posted on this webpage, the reported opinions of the Supreme Court of Maryland and the Appellate Court of Maryland are listed in the index as slip opinions ("slip op.") until they are published in a bound volume of the Maryland Reports or Maryland Appellate Reports. All rights reserved. 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). Maryland on the use of the iPad for the appellate review of cases. MAIGNAN, Peter R. - Suspended indefinitely for misappropriation of client funds. 200 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland, March 2020. Decided: August 20, 2013 BARBERA, C.J., HARRELL, BATTAGLIA, GREENE, ADKINS, McDONALD and *Bell, JJ. Terms of Use/Disclaimer, Supreme Court (formerly the Court of Appeals), Appellate Court (formerly the Court of Special Appeals), Please note that the "ALL" years option takes more time, Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building, Supreme Court of Maryland: 410-260-1500 800-926-2583 TTY 410-260-1554, Appellate Court of Maryland: 410-260-1450. Annapolis, Maryland 21401 PHONE: 410-514-7051 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Attorney Grievance Commission and Office of Bar Counsel Filing a Complaint To File a Complaint: Read the Instructions for Attorney Complaint Form available in English and Spanish. In December, 2008 he issued a check to pay a personal obligation. He failed to expedite litigation and to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of the matter. Upon termination of the representations, Respondent refused to refund any portion of such fees or expenses that had not been earned or incurred. - Commission reprimand for attempting to obtain an unreasonable fee. - Disbarred by Consent on September 2, 2009 by the Court of Appeals, effective thirty (30) days after the date of the Order. GEDE, James A. The Respondent failed to respond to the Courts Show Cause Order and did not appear at oral argument scheduled on October 6, 2009, resulting in issuance of the Courts Order the next day. Maryland at a Glance CURTIS, Charles M. - Commission Reprimand for failure to appear at his clients hearing. FADER, Joel Jay Commission Reprimand for failing to adequately communicate with his client about his status as an attorney, for repeatedly failing to respond to inquiries from Bar Counsel, for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law while decertified and for failing to file his IOLTA and pro-bono reports for 2010. WALKER-TURNER, John - Commission reprimand for failing to act diligently and failure to communicate appropriately with his client. MONROE, Monica Arrington (a/k/a MONROE, Monica Marie and a/k/a ARRINGTON, Monica) - Commission Reprimand resulting from her representation of a clients Chapter 13 bankruptcy case and another clients case (during which time she left the country due to her husbands military commitment) in which she failed to act with reasonable diligence, failed to conclude the work, upon termination of representation she failed to take steps reasonably practicable to protect a clients interests, such as reasonable notice, time for employment of other counsel, surrendering papers and property to the client and refunding any advance payment of fee or expense not earned or incurred, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4(a)(2) & (3), 1.4(b) and 1.16(d). s.hrg. SUSS, Jonathan D. - Commission Reprimand for lack of competence and diligence for failure to obtain an abstract of title of clients family Arkansas property and failure to examine clients most-recent litigation to ascertain whether it was still possible to enter his title opinion letter in the case; as Respondent was not and was never admitted to practice law in Arkansas, for failure to limit the scope of representation, failure to consult with the client and failure to permit his client to make informed decisions regarding the representation; for unreasonable attorney fee in light of Respondents misconduct; and for conflict of interest by entering into a business transaction with his client, borrowing $3,000 from client and preparing a promissory note, without advising his client in writing of the desirability of seeking advice of independent counsel on the Note and without giving client a reasonable opportunity to do so; in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3; 1.2(c), 1.4(a)(4) and (b); 1.5(b); and 1.8(a). When ordered to appear before the Judge to explain his absence, he appeared late and offered the Court an explanation that was untrue. - 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. SCOTT, Karen - Commission reprimand for lack a of competence, lack of diligence, failure to communicate with her client. Maryland Counties On 9/9/03 Respondent attended a hearing on the Second Complaint at which his client testified, in his presence, to questions from the Court that he had been a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia. 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. - Interim suspension based upon federal criminal conviction of misprision of a felony. 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! PAGE, Alfred Jr. - Reprimanded by consent for failure to diligently represent his client, failure to communicate with his client and failure to keep records of monies received from his client. Maryland Manual On-Line KATZ, Gerald Isadore Indefinite Suspension on November 19, 2012, (with the right to apply for reinstatement no sooner than his readmission to all other jurisdictions, save one, as a reciprocal action) for failing to file tax returns. - Commission Reprimand for failure to abide by his clients instruction to file a law suit against Cecil County and its contractor, for failure to advise his client that he had elected not to file suit when he knew his client believed that he had filed suit and for failure to respond to requests for information from Bar Counsel, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.2(a) and 8.1(b). KEPPLE, Cristine Ada Indefinite Suspension on June 21, 2013, Per Curiam Order and Opinion, effective immediately (with the right to apply for reinstatement no sooner than thirty (30) days after the effective date of the Order) for knowingly concealing her state of residence from her law school in order to receive the benefit of in-state tuition at that institution. (r) . He also pled guilty to violating Criminal Law, 7-104 of the Annotated Code of Maryland for theft under $500. DICKERSON, John J. And, while dismissals are less common at later stages, the Supreme Court of Maryland will dismiss cases which fail to establish an attorney's incapacity or professional misconduct. BLEECKER, Lorin Henry - Disbarred by the Court of Appeals on May 12, 2010 for misconduct arising from his representation of a personal injury client. They found that by creating a nation, a symbol,a legal unity called the United States, they could take over land, profits, and political power fromfavorites of the British Empire. Unreported opinions filed from May 1, 2015 to present are available on this page. - 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. - Disbarred by consent for failure to communicate with clients, failure to respond to Bar Counsel and neglect. Respondents conduct violated Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7 (engaging in a conflict of interest), 5.3 (failure to adequately supervise a non-lawyer employee) and 8.4(d) (failure to determine the accuracy of representations made in the pleading before the Court for Prince Georges County once he became aware of his clients representations of his residency. For questions related to opinions issued by the Ethics Committee or other ethical concerns, contact the Ethics Hotline at one of the numbers below. STROUSE, James C. - Reprimand by Consent on September 15, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for lack of competence in preparing a power of attorney for an elderly client, naming a long-time client as the attorney-in-fact and thereafter suing the elderly client on behalf of the long-time client, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.1 and 8.4(d). Maiden Receive free daily summaries of new opinions from the Maryland Court of Appeals. SCHRAMM, Clayton Henry Disbarred by Consent on October 25, 2012, for abandoning his clients, for failing to provide diligent and competent representation, for failing to hold prepaid fees in trust and for failing to return unearned fees upon termination of representation. In carrying out their functions of evaluating complaints and enforcing ethical standards for lawyers, the Commission and Bar Counsel strive for fairness and equity. All members of the Hotline are practicing attorneys or judges. Dismissal With Warnings. HESSON, Robert C. - Disbarred by consent for misconduct including violation of probation following DWI conviction, abandonment of law practice and failure to safeguard client funds in his trust account. GUIDA, Joseph M. - Disbarred for forging a judges signature. 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. There are 8 Attorney Generals in Florida, serving a population of 20,278,447 people in an area of 53,618 square miles. Attorney Grievance defense attorney specializes in defending lawyers in disciplinary proceedings before the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission and the D.C. Bar's Board on Professional Responsibility involving professional misconduct, legal ethics, disbarment, suspensions of law licenses, petitions for disciplinary action, reprimands and sanctions for unethical conduct. The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, the petitioner, acting pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-751, approved the filing by Bar Counsel of a Petition For Disciplinary or Remedial Action against Mahmoud Alsafty, the respondent. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE SUPREME COURT OF MARYLAND 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. - Suspended indefinitely by consent for impermissible direct contact with a prospective client and conflict of interest. 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 . Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP 65 Memorial Road Suite C340 West Hartford, CT 06107-2434 United States FRIEDMAN, Mark Howard Disbarred by Consent on April 19, 2013, for misappropriating escrow funds maintained by his law firm in connection with foreclosure actions. - Disbarred for misappropriation and spousal abuse. GROVE, David Matthew Commission Reprimand for failing to provide competent representation, for failing to keep his client reasonably informed and for failing to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation. KOVACIC, Kristin E. - Suspended indefinitely for lack of diligence in a divorce matter and failure to respond to Bar Counsel. Maryland Municipalities - Commission Reprimand. Consent to Reprimand dated August 6, 2012, for failing to withdraw his appearance in a matter upon termination of representation. FY12 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure 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. HILL, John Lyster - Disbarred by Consent on November 24, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for mishandling two (2) domestic relations cases in which he failed to take prompt action, he implied he had paid a judge to expedite his clients case, failed to file an Information Report causing dismissal of his clients appeal, and failed to deposit and maintain his clients retainer in trust, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5(a), 1.15, 7.1(b) and 8.4(d), Maryland Rules 16-604 and 16-609 and Md. OPINION [**] Wells, C.J. Attorney Grievance Commission Appointed by the Supreme Court of Maryland, the Commission oversees the attorney grievance process. Upon his clients death, he filed the Will for probate and was appointed personal representative. GREEN, Charles Lamont Indefinite Suspension by Consent on April 4, 2013, effective June 1, 2013, for failing to maintain unearned fees in his trust account, for failing to promptly return the unearned portion of a fee, for commingling funds, for the unauthorized use of trust funds, for failing to maintain accurate client matter records and for failing to respond to requests for information from Bar Counsel. DORSEY, Nelson B., Jr. - Indefinite Suspension by Consent, by the Court of Appeals on June 28, 2010 for abandoning his clients cases and for failure to return unearned fees, in violation of the Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2(a), 1.3, 1.4(a)(2) and 1.4(a)(3), 1.5(a), 1.15(a), 1.16(d), 8.1(b) and 8.4(d), and Maryland Rules 16-604 and 16-609, and Md. Further proceedings pending. WEHLAND, Charles - Commission reprimand for lack of competence in an Estate matter and failing to properly supervise non-attorney staff. Pursuant to the Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act, 10-1601 et seq. Econsumer.gov, if your purchase was with a foreign retailer. e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov. Deborah L. Potter, Esq., Chair (chosen by Attorney Grievance Commission) VANZEGO, Raymond J. SELLERS, John William Reprimand by Consent on August 24, 2012, for failing to provide competent representation, for failing to communicate with his client and for failing to obtain approval of two letter agreements without his clients informed consent before issuing the letter agreements. Respondent made the requested changes that included naming himself as personal representative and residuary beneficiary. The Conservator continued his service and acted pursuant to the terms he believed to be the agreement for the purchase of the law practice, and consistent with the agreement, periodically remitted fees to the Estate which were accepted. He also failed to obtain the informed consent of his client before discussing and disclosing confidential information in a meeting with his client and her sons family. - Commission Reprimand for engaging in professional misconduct in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC), Rule 8.4(a). HECHT, Ross D. Indefinite Suspension by Consent on May 16, 2013, effective thirty (30) days from the date thereafter, (with the right to apply for reinstatement after six (6) months) for failing to represent his client with diligence and promptness, for failing to communicate with his client, for failing to safekeep property and for failing to respond to requests for information from Bar Counsel. The civil complaint he filed misstated the accident date by one (1) year, and the court eventually dismissed the case after defendants counsel filed three (3) separate motions to which Respondent failed to respond. 5, September Term, 2019 ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE - SANCTIONS - INDEFINITE SUSPENSION - Court of Appeals indefinitely suspended from practice of law in Maryland two lawyers who, for approximately seven years, while working for federal government, participated in exchange of e-mails among group . HOOVER-HANKERSON, Celicia - Disbarred by Consent on October 19, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for conviction of criminal charges involving submitting false invoices to the Court in the District of Columbia for payment of witnesses, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 8.4(b) and (d). JOHNSON, Laurence Fleming Commission Reprimand for failing to provide competent and diligent representation to his client and for engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. KWARTENG, Charles O. He did not request any commission for serving as personal representative. Upon receipt of the proceeds, he failed to notify the creditor that he received the funds and disbursed the funds to his client. - Disbarred for stealing money from his law firm. ROSENBERG, Keith A. Information contained on this web site is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. Generation J.D. BERGER, Burman A. Appointed by Attorney Grievance Commission: LEONHART, Georgia L. - Disbarred by consent for failing to maintain client funds in her escrow account. VANDERSLICE, Patrick Edward Interim Suspension on December 6, 2012, effective immediately, as a reciprocal action to his Delaware suspension that occurred on October 12, 2012. 243, 131 A.2d 729 (1957), we disbarred an attorney for inserting slugs into parking meters. For more information, or to determine if an attorney has been reinstated, please contact the Attorney Grievance Commission at (410) 514-7051. Slip opinions are subject to change. Respondent's misconduct is far more . SILVERMAN, Leslie Dana - 60-day Suspension, effective 30 days from the date of the Order dated December 8, 2009 (beginning January 7, 2010) by the Court of Appeals as reciprocal discipline corresponding to her 60-day Suspension in Virginia effective June 1, 2009, which involved two separate complaints, one of which also was filed with the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission. Most decisions of the Appellate Court of Maryland are not reported, as Maryland Rule 8-605.1 requires the Court to report only those opinions that are of substantial interest. All rights reserved. 200 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland, March 2020. 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. GARCIA, Jose Expedito M. - Disbarred on August 28, 2009 by the Court of Appeals as a result of his conviction of immigration fraud. His conduct was in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(a) and (b) and Maryland Rules 16-604 and 16-607. BRISBON, Brenda C. - Indefinite suspension (March 17, 2005) continued for subsequent complaint for failure to respond to Bar Counsel. Lydia E. Lawless, Esq., Bar Counsel (chosen by Commission with approval of Supreme Court of Maryland) Respondent performed work that was of no practical use to the Complainant. Docket AG No. Commission Reprimand for misconduct because he continued to negotiate transactions after his fathers death, after his power of attorney expired, for failing to promptly distribute assets intended for his siblings, for failing to promptly resolve the dispute with his siblings after being contacted by counsel, for failing to promptly respond to Bar Counsels first contact with him and for his delay, for more than a year, before finally initiating probate proceedings relating to his fathers estate. During his representation he failed to file a Response to Defendants Motion to Dismiss his clients Complaint. On the Record; Movers and Shakers; Women's Perspectives; Power Lists; Resources. The non-lawyer was retained to re-open an estate and with Respondents consent, used his name as attorney for that estate. PARKER, Virgil D. - Disbarred because he defrauded his clients. Photo by Diane F. Evartt. HUNT, Mark Edward - Disbarred on December 4, 2012, effective immediately, Per Curiam Order. RODMAN, Yale Dale Commission Reprimand for engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice when, acting as counsel for plaintiff, he left voice messages for the Complainant that insulted his heritage in a mock accent and other inappropriate remarks. Annual Report, FY2020. DOBSON, Matthew G. - Suspended indefinitely by consent for failing to file tax returns. CVACH, Paul R. - Indefinite Suspension by Consent on September 21, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for misappropriating trust funds, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.15. On October 15, 2007, he was indicted by a Harford County grand jury in a 21-count indictment, alleging theft, conspiracy to commit theft and accessory after-the-fact to theft.

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maryland attorney grievance commission opinions