Second opinion] an employer requires workers to stay like 5 to 10 minutes late until relieved. BELL, Jimmy 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 . His conduct was in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(a) and (b) and Maryland Rules 16-604 and 16-607. Maryland Counties Upon receipt of the proceeds, he failed to notify the creditor that he received the funds and disbursed the funds to his client. - Commission Reprimand for assisting a non-lawyer in the unauthorized practice of law. WALKER-TURNER, John - Commission reprimand for failing to act diligently and failure to communicate appropriately with his client. SIDLE, Barton J. 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. BLEECKER, Lorin Henry - Disbarred by the Court of Appeals on May 12, 2010 for misconduct arising from his representation of a personal injury client. 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. Pursuant to the Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act, 10-1601 et seq. WINGERTER, Rex B. Misc. 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. Law Firm Info Reviews PEKLO, Gary Stewart Commission Reprimand for having drafted a will in which he was named as personal representative and in which he was granted a significant bequest that he disbursed to himself. MILTON, Gregory J. 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. FY17 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure 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. Respondent did not participate in the hearing or address the Court. SCHULMAN, Robert B. MedPAC estimates that the average overpayment is 112 percent of Medicare's cost, with plans in some areas exceeding 150 percent of Medicare's rates. 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. 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. OLUJOBI (AWOJOBI), Adekunle B. MARSALEK, Stephen F. - Suspended for 30 days by consent for failing to communicate, conflict of interest and failure to properly supervise non-lawyer employees. The Maryland Court of Appeals Opinion dated February 25, 2013, cited reasons for the sanction. Maryland Universities & Colleges PLEASE NOTE: The site may contain material from other sources which may be under copyright. REINHARDT, Richard J. Even if the grievance has merit, either Bar Counsel or the Peer Review Panel may recommend that the Commission dismiss it with (1) a letter . GORDON, Jeffrey Keith - 45-day Suspension by the Court of Appeals on March 16, 2010 for violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(c) in which Respondent had his client execute the signature page of a contract the night before a Summary Judgment hearing when the original could not be located. Slip opinions are subject to change. If an attorney attempts to file the forms on the inmate's behalf, the prison rejects them. KOVACIC, Kristin E. - Suspended indefinitely for lack of diligence in a divorce matter and failure to respond to Bar Counsel. Terms of Use/Disclaimer. - Suspended indefinitely by consent for impermissible direct contact with a prospective client and conflict of interest. If changes are made to an opinion filed on or after November 1, 2019, a note will be made in the index indicating the date of the most recent correction(s) (corr.). 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. 243, 131 A.2d 729 (1957), we disbarred an attorney for inserting slugs into parking meters. Copyright 2023 Maryland Judiciary. POLITZER, Milton A. LAWSON, Jeffrey Disbarred on August 21, 2012, by Per Curiam Opinion and Order for charging an unreasonable fee, for engaging in a conflict of interest and for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit and/or misrepresentation. RADEBAUGH, Daniel - Commission Reprimand for failing to provide diligent representation, for failing to communicate with his clients regarding the status of their matters and for failing to deposit retainer fees in his attorney trust account. Court of Appeals Opinion to follow. SNIFFEN, Kevin Edward Disbarred by Consent on August 15, 2012, for the unauthorized use of trust funds. WRIGHT, Ronald A. Respondents conduct violates Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(a) and (d). 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 . The Respondents Affidavit of Consent in the District of Columbia is under Seal. 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. - 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. Respondent did not review the documents prepared and filed by the non-lawyer. Her conduct violated Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.4, 8.1(a) and 8.4(a), (c) & (d). These actions violated Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 Competence, 1.2 Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Client and Lawyer, 1.4 Communication and 8.4(d) Misconduct (constituting conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice). 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. BRANDES, Frederic M. - Disbarred by consent for failing to provide competent and diligent representation and spending unearned fees. LONDON, Perry Allen Disbarred on July 10, 2012, for failure to provide competent and diligent representation, and for misrepresenting to his client the status of his cases. WATSON, Joe Donald, Jr. Thirty (30) day Suspension by Consent on August 1, 2012, effective immediately, for failure to maintain his clients retainer in an attorney trust account until earned, failure to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of the matter, and upon termination of the representation, failure to issue a prompt refund of the unearned fee. (r) . Opinion by Raker, J. Bus. This was a reciprocal disciplinary action arising from Respondents Reprimand in Texas. 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. FY21 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure Opinion by Bell, C.J. Although Bar Counsel may initiate the grievance process based on information from other sources, most complaints against attorneys are filed by disgruntled clients. 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. CURTIS, Charles M. - Commission Reprimand for failure to appear at his clients hearing. He also engaged in the practice of law after being decertified by the Court of Appeals for failure to file his pro bono report, in violation of Rule 5.5. Occ. 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). She was a major part of a group that sought to preserve the Belair Mansion in Bowie and also wrote about. For reported opinions posted here on or before June 30, 2018, the final official text of the reported opinion is found in the bound Maryland Reports and Maryland Appellate Reports. Court opinions; Maryland Legal Jobs; Maryland Family Law Update; Law Blogs. 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. 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. FRANK, Arthur J. 200 Harry S Truman Parkway, Annapolis, Maryland, March 2020. All payments were ultimately made and none of the Firms lawyers or employees suffered a loss. Econsumer.gov, if your purchase was with a foreign retailer. LINIAK, Thomas P. Disbarred by consent as result of self reported misconduct. He also engaged in criminal acts that reflect adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer when he admitted that he purchased and used cocaine, resulting in his arrest for possession of cocaine in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3, 1.4, 1.15, 3.3, 8.1(b), 8.4(b) & (c), Maryland Rules 16-607 and 16-609, and Maryland Code Ann., Business Occupations and Professions Article, 10-306 and 10-606. - Reprimanded for failure to clearly communicate with his client. Unreported opinions filed from May 1, 2015 to present are available on this page. His conduct specifically violated MRPC Rules 4.1(a)(1) and 4.4(a). 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. 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. KWARTENG, Charles O. FY20 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure - 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. VARES, Christopher K. - Indefinite Suspension by Consent on August 14, 2009 by the Court of Appeals. BELLAMY, Denise Leona Ninety (90) day Suspension by Consent on September 11, 2012, effective thirty (30) days thereafter, for failure to provide diligent representation and upon termination of representation, for failure to refund any advance payment of fees or expenses not earned or incurred. All rights reserved. HINISH, Lorn William - Commission Reprimand for his involvement in a bar fight that resulted in a criminal jury trial and a conviction of Second Degree Assault, which conduct Respondent agrees was prejudicial to the administration of justice and was conduct likely to reflect negatively on the image of the legal profession, in violation of the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(d). 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. Code Ann., Business Occupations & Professions Article, 10-304 and 10-306. DICKERSON, John J. - Disbarred by Consent on September 2, 2009 by the Court of Appeals, effective thirty (30) days after the date of the Order. Shirley Baltz, a longtime resident of Bowie, passed away last week at the age of 95. 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. Download a version of the Attorney Complaint Form English (pdf) English (word) Spanish (pdf) 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. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP 65 Memorial Road Suite C340 West Hartford, CT 06107-2434 United States JONES, Rodney M. - Commission reprimand for failing to communicate with his client, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, failing to timely respond to BC and failing to comply with a court order. Further proceedings pending. - Reprimanded by consent for failure to appear at trials and failure to prepare his clients case for trial. WHITEHEAD, H. Allen - Suspended indefinitely for taking attorneys fees prior to court approval in an estate matter. MANCE, Robert Weston, III Indefinite Suspension on December 3, 2012, effective immediately (with the right to reapply no sooner than his unconditional readmission to the Bar of the District of Columbia) by Per Curiam Order, as a reciprocal matter relating to Respondents District of Columbia 6-month suspension for numerous ethics violations. - Disbarred for settling a clients case without authority, forging the clients signature on the settlement check, misappropriated funds belonging to two clients, and lying under oath to Bar Counsel. HAAS, Richard J. He withdrew his clients Petition for Caveat without authority, forever barring her claim. SCOTT, Karen - Commission reprimand for lack a of competence, lack of diligence, failure to communicate with her client. 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. 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