maryland attorney grievance commission opinions

The Attorney Grievance Commission, acting through Bar Counsel, filed a petition with this Court for disciplinary action against William Michael Monfried, respondent, alleging violations of the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct (hereinafter "MRPC"). Four months after her death, Respondent opened his aunts estate and, based upon a telephone conversation with Bar Counsel, came to believe he had the blessing of the Attorney Grievance Commission not to pay the principal, without incurring interest on the debt, until he concluded administration of the estate and could write-off the debt as an offset to his testamentary legacy. Docket AG No. KLEINSMITH, Philip M. Reprimand by Consent on May 24, 2013, as a reciprocal action to his March 20, 2012 Arizona reprimand. Although Bar Counsel may initiate the grievance process based on information from other sources, most complaints against attorneys are filed by disgruntled clients. 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. GREENBERG, Larry S. - Commission Reprimand for engaging in professional misconduct while serving as attorney for the personal representative of a decedents estate opened in Prince Georges County in which he failed to appear before the Orphans Court on three occasions for show cause hearings scheduled by that tribunal to determine why a final account of the estate had not yet been filed. After reviewing Ms. Kendrick's application, the MIA issued her a denial letter pursuant to 10-404(b) . WEIKAL, Wendy K. (aka WEIKAL, Wendy Beachat) Disbarred by Consent on April 15, 2013, subsequent to her Interim Suspension on April 9, 2013, as a reciprocal discipline for failing to provide diligent and competent representation, for failing to communicate with her clients, for charging an unreasonable fee and for misappropriating client funds in Maryland and Pennsylvania. OPINION [**] Wells, C.J. FY11 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure Update Now Raleigh Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer Overview Richard Boyette is a partner in the Raleigh office of the firm who has enjoyed a broad civil litigation practice throughout his career. SCOTT, Karen - Commission reprimand for lack a of competence, lack of diligence, failure to communicate with her client. Indefinite Suspension by Consent on January 4, 2013, effective February 4, 2013 (with the right to apply for reinstatement after ninety (90) days from February 4, 2013) for failing to represent his clients with reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to communicate with his clients and for failing to respond to lawful requests for information by Bar Counsel. KOVACIC, Kristin E. - Suspended indefinitely for lack of diligence in a divorce matter and failure to respond to Bar Counsel. LEONHART, Georgia L. - Disbarred by consent for failing to maintain client funds in her escrow account. 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. The $95,000 loan, made years earlier, was documented by a promissory note signed as part of a 2001 Conditional Diversion Agreement and provided for the loan to be payable, without interest, 120 days after the aunts death. 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). The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland is dedicated to protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the legal profession. & Prof. Code Ann., 10-306. The Second Complaint, filed on 8/14/03, incorrectly represented that clients wife (Complainant) resided in a different jurisdiction from the First Complaint, was not signed by Respondent and appears that the client received assistance preparing the Second Complaint from someone who worked in Respondents office, who is no longer employed by him. GUBERMAN, Mark S. - Disbarred for misrepresentation to his supervising attorney and creating false documents to support the misrepresentation. Subsequently, the court dismissed the Complaint. - Commission Reprimand. 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. Maryland Counties REINHARDT, Richard J. REINHARDT, Richard J. KELL, Mark E. - Commission reprimand for incompetent handling of an estate matter. 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. STACK, Richard - Commission Reprimand for his failure, at an ex parte proceeding, to bring to the Courts attention the issue that two of the three Defendants contested process of service. Respondent did not question his clients inconsistencies represented to the Circuit Court for Prince Georges County and the Superior Court for the District of Columbia or otherwise attempt to determine the accuracy of the information contained in the First Complaint. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, CMS's own actuary, and the Congressional Budget Office, each estimate that Medicare Advantage plans are overpaid. PEER REVIEW PANELS, Maryland Judiciary 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. Respondent was found to have facilitated a fraudulent, equity-stripping transaction, violating fiduciary obligations to the mortgage lender and to the sellers of the property, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.15(b)[now (d)], 8.4(a) and (c), 5.1(c) and 5.3(c). Appointed by Attorney Grievance Commission: Suspended by consent for commingling funds in his trust account and medical problems related to the misconduct. MURPHY, Brian P. - Commission Reprimand for lack of competence and failure to safekeep property in his representation, as trustee from 2003 to 2008 he failed to maintain adequate records in handling estate assets, thereby impairing the ability of his successor to take over the trusts and failed to give tenants appropriate notice required by law when the trust purchased an interest in an apartment building, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 and 1.15(a). Generation J.D. High court refers dispute over attorney grievance discovery rules to committee. DRISCOLL, Peter R. - Disbarred by consent for neglect and misrepresentation to a client. This web site is presented for reference purposes under the doctrine of fair use. Code Ann., Business Occupations and Professions, 10-306. Slip opinions are subject to change. Michael W. Blow, Jr., Esq., Deputy Bar Counsel GORDON, Lowell J. SAVAGE, William Mapp Commission Reprimand for his participation in a situation in which his name was signed by another lawyer employed with the firm, by permitting the execution of documents in his name when not personally signed by him and for failing to sufficiently protect against such activity. 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. GLESSNER, Stephen A. HOOK, Steven R. - Suspended by consent for 90 days for neglect, failure to communicate, failure to supervise non-lawyer assistants and failure to respond to Bar Counsel. In the Virginia proceeding, she entered into an Agreed Disposition acknowledging her failure to act with reasonable diligence in representing clients, failure to deposit an unearned retainer in an attorney trust account until the fee was earned and engaging in the practice of law while her license in Virginia was administratively suspended for failure to comply with Virginias mandatory continuing education requirements, in violation of Rules 1.3, 1.15(a)(2) and 5.5(a)(1) of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct. HICKEY, William F., III Disbarred by Consent for failing to represent his clients with competence and reasonable diligence, for his conflict of interest, for failing to explain the difference between his role as a third-party neutral and his role as one who represents a client, for failing to safekeep his clients property, for failing to maintain unearned fees in escrow. 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. credit investigation; (4) grievance investigation; (5) study of . Maryland Departments YATES, Charles D. - Reprimanded for lack of diligence regarding an immigration matter. The Maryland Judiciary provides this information as a public service. RGGI says it is a market-based effort to cap and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. 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. - Disbarred by consent for failure to communicate with clients, failure to respond to Bar Counsel and neglect. CALHOUN, Candace K. - Suspended indefinitely for failing to keep client informed concerning the amount of fees incurred and making misrepresentations to and deceiving the client. Attorney Grievance Commission Appointed by the Supreme Court of Maryland, the Commission oversees the attorney grievance process. REPORTS (MANDATED) Annual Report to Court of Appeals on Disciplinary Fund & disciplinary system due Sept. 1 (Maryland Rule 19-702). BERTOLA, Marta Indefinite Suspension by Consent on January 9, 2013, effective immediately (with the right to apply for reinstatement sixty (60) days thereafter) for appearing in a circuit court case on behalf of her husband, for making representations in court that she was authorized to practice law and for filing a motion in the same case while decertified from the practice of law. Slip opinions are subject to change. 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. 117-527 select provisions of the 1866 reconstruction treaties between the united states and oklahoma tribes 117th congress (2021-2022) - Commission Reprimand relating to Respondents representation of a complaint for racial discrimination against Complainants employer in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov, PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE 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. ALIVIZATOS, Constandin - Indefinite Suspension on December 16, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for lack of competence in handling settlements, failure to keep attorney trust account records, failure to maintain client monies in the trust account, commingling of funds and misuse of trust money through negligence, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.15, 8.4(a) and Maryland Rules 16-606.1, 16-607 and 16-609. Just click on the "Request for Investigation Form and Instructions" tab at the left to be directed to the page which contains the form (you will then have to click on "Request for Investigation" in the body of the text to open a PDF version of the form). SEIDLER, Samuel A. POWELL, Roger Norman Reprimand by Consent on May 16, 2013, for assisting his client in conveying property in contravention of a court order and for preparing a declaration of trust that gave him an interest in the trust property. Respondent failed to make arrangements for the payment of interest on a debt he owed a deceased aunts estate after he became personal representative of and attorney for the estate. Decided: August 20, 2013 BARBERA, C.J., HARRELL, BATTAGLIA, GREENE, ADKINS, McDONALD and *Bell, JJ. The Respondents practice was to deposit retainers for family law matters into his operating account and maintains a trust account for auto-tort related cases. 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. In February 2019, the Supreme Court denied a petition brought by Katherine McKee, one of the women that accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault, which claimed that Cosby had leaked a letter that permanently damaged her reputation, and had sought civil action against Cosby on this matter. FY22 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure Subscribe Attorney Grievance v. Maiden Annotate this Case Download PDF Search this Case Google Scholar Google Books Legal Blogs Google Web Bing Web Google News Google News Archive Yahoo! The Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Bus. If you wish to see a copy of the correction notice(s), you may do so by scrolling to the end of the opinion and accessing the link, or by requesting a copy from the appropriate clerks office . 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. LUXENBERG, Deborah Y. Occ. FRANK, Arthur J. 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. 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. LEE, Christopher M. - Suspended indefinitely by consent for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law. The Office of Bar Counsel investigates and, where indicated, prosecutes attorneys whose conduct violates the Maryland Attorneys Rules of Professional Conduct as well as those engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. KREMER, Dean Clayton - Disbarred on May 2, 2013, effective immediately, because he abandoned his law practice, ceased to communicate with his clients or work on their cases, failed to return unearned fees and failed to promptly refund a fee. He has extensive experience at all levels of workers' compensation litigation including mediations, hearings at the Deputy Commissioner and Full Commission level, and Court of Appeals. JAROSINSKI, George S. - Commission reprimand for failing to safekeep client property, failure to respond to Bar Counsel and for conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. 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. MILTON, Gregory J. (HOA), represented 2 individual Board Directors of and against the HOA as a defendant, that was directly adverse to another client and Respondent did not obtain or attempt to obtain the clients informed consent, confirmed in writing; for lack of competence, Respondent failed to demonstrate the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation necessary for the representation of the HOA and the other clients; and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in that it was conduct likely to reflect negatively on the image of the legal profession, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7, 1.1 and 8.4(d). It also supervises the inactive status of lawyers and monitors nonmembers of the Maryland Bar who practice in Maryland. FY10 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure January 2023 Contacts JENKINS, Frank Plowden - Disbarred by Consent on September 15, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for lack of competence, diligence, communication, misappropriations, commingling and misrepresentation, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.15 and 8.4(c). Terms of Use/Disclaimer. Lydia E. Lawless, Esq., Bar Counsel (chosen by Commission with approval of Supreme Court of Maryland) Maryland at a Glance, Search the Manual BRANDES, Frederic M. - Disbarred by consent for failing to provide competent and diligent representation and spending unearned fees. The non-lawyer prepared and signed documents using Respondents name as counsel. THOMAS, C. Trent - 60-day Suspension on April 20, 2010 by the Court of Appeals for failure to provide diligent and competent representation to clients involved in proceedings at which he failed to appear, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 and 1.3. Maryland Manual On-Line LEATHERMAN, Jennifer L. - Indefinite Suspension by Consent on August 25, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for failure to place unearned fees into an escrow account and for commingling of unearned fees in her operating account. HARDWICK, Clifford L. - Commission Reprimand for failing to obtain the client's informed consent to a potential conflict of interest, in violation of Maryland Rule of Professional Conduct 1.7. His conduct specifically violated MRPC Rules 4.1(a)(1) and 4.4(a). WEISS, Randy A. Beyond general oversight, the Commission has the power to approve or disapprove the dismissal of a complaint or Statement of Charges, the termination of a complaint with or without a warning, a Conditional Diversion Agreement, a "commission reprimand," or the filing . LOCKHART, Thomas Jackson Commission Reprimand for his conflict of interest in preparing his clients Will, in which his client left whatever may be left to him. She was a major part of a group that sought to preserve the Belair Mansion in Bowie and also wrote about. Maryland Municipalities NEEB, Kimberly Ann - Suspended for One year, One day, effective October 2, 2009 by the Court of Appeals, for violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 8.4(b), based upon a reciprocal disciplinary matter arising from Respondents suspension in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and is subject to the reinstatement of Respondent to the Pennsylvania Bar by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. PURCELL, Will - Disbarred on July 21, 2009 by the Court of Appeals based on misconduct as a settlement agent for the title company owned by Renard D. Johnson (also disbarred by the same opinion). 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). CACERES, Carlos H. - Disbarred by consent for misappropriation of attorney fees, misrepresentation to clients, creating fraudulent court documents, and failure to act with diligence and failing to communicate with his clients. 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. 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). - Suspended indefinitely for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation and neglecting a legal matter for over three years. 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. 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. Maryland Universities & Colleges 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. The petition concerned Respondent's conduct related to the representation of a client, Sylvia Robinson-Green, in a civil matter. During his representation he failed to file a Response to Defendants Motion to Dismiss his clients Complaint. All payments were ultimately made and none of the Firms lawyers or employees suffered a loss. He withdrew his clients Petition for Caveat without authority, forever barring her claim. BLEECKER, Lorin Henry - Disbarred by the Court of Appeals on May 12, 2010 for misconduct arising from his representation of a personal injury client. KWARTENG, Charles O. All members of the Hotline are practicing attorneys or judges. Court opinions; Maryland Legal Jobs; Maryland Family Law Update; Law Blogs. Code Ann., Business Occupations & Professions, 10-306, while acting in his capacity as trustee in a court-ordered sale of real property, for his intentional misappropriation of the proceeds of the sale and leaving the United States. WALKER-TURNER, John - Commission reprimand for failing to act diligently and failure to communicate appropriately with his client. JAROSINSKI, George S. - Disbarred on November 16, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for intentional misappropriation of trust funds, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15, 8.1 and 8.4(b), Maryland Rule 16-609 and Md. THOMPSON, Robert Philip - Commission Reprimand for failure to include the attorney or firm name on his trust account and clearly designate the title of trust account on checks and deposit slips, from 9/1/08 - 1/31/09 he deposited earned fees and personal funds into the trust account, thereby commingling funds and failed to maintain client ledgers. POLITZER, Milton A. Commission Reprimand for failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to file a claim on behalf of his client prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations and for engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. TOUSEY, Robert R. - Disbarred by consent for misappropriation of client and other funds. Opinion by Bell, C.J. 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. Copyright 2023 Maryland Judiciary. 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. LEE, Norman J., III - Reprimanded for failure to communicate and lack of diligence. 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. IJEABUONWU, Chike Thirty (30) day Suspension by Consent on September 7, 2012, for failure to provide competent and diligent representation, failure to adequately communicate and upon termination of the representation, failure to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect his client. Over the years, Respondent never charged or collected any fee for legal services provided to his client. 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. PORTER, William N. - Disbarred by consent for failure to diligently represent his client, failure to appear in court, failure to deposit a retainer fee into escrow and failure to return an unearned fee. - Suspended indefinitely by consent for impermissible direct contact with a prospective client and conflict of interest. Appropriate remedial steps have been taken in the operation of the Firms Simple IRA account program. Divorce was granted. WINER, Lisa I. Youngkin also said he signed two executive directives: one to slash regulations on businesses, and another to. Maryland Departments His conversation with Bar Counsel was treated as a mitigating factor with respect to the Rule 1.7 violation.
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