maryland attorney grievance commission opinions

MIRSKY, Steven E. - Commission Reprimand for placing an earned fee in his attorney trust account, in violation of the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.15(b) and 16-607. EVANS, Matthew S., Jr. - Disbarred by consent as a result of a criminal conviction of fraud. 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. 543, 318 A.2d 811 (1974), we disbarred an attorney for willful evasion of income taxes. Information contained on this web site is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. SEIDLER, Samuel A. He has since written a letter of apology to the Judge with a truthful explanation of his absence at the hearing. 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) Slip opinions are subject to change. - Commission reprimand for attempting to obtain an unreasonable fee. Maryland Universities & Colleges FY12 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure 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 . Bus. 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. On the Record; Movers and Shakers; Women's Perspectives; Power Lists; Resources. 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. 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. 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). Respondent took no steps to correct the erroneous accident date in the civil complaint. GILLAND, Michael Brian - Disbarred by Consent on September 14, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for misusing client funds, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 8.4(c) and (d), 16-607 and 16-609, and Business Occupations and Professions Article, 10-306. LOGAN, William M. - Disbarred for abandoning representation of a client, attempting to engage in the unauthorized practice of law and failing to respond to Bar Counsel. Although Bar Counsel may initiate the grievance process based on information from other sources, most complaints against attorneys are filed by disgruntled clients. WHITEHEAD, H. Allen - Suspended indefinitely for taking attorneys fees prior to court approval in an estate matter. Photo by Diane F. Evartt. For more information, or to determine if an attorney has been reinstated, please contact the Attorney Grievance Commission at (410) 514-7051. GITOMER, Mark Lawrence Disbarred by Consent on August 1, 2012, for failing to represent his clients with reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to communicate with the clients about the status of their matters, for failing to maintain his unearned fees in escrow and for misappropriating funds from his escrow account. 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. KOVACIC, Kristin E. - Suspended indefinitely for lack of diligence in a divorce matter and failure to respond to Bar Counsel. Erin A. Risch, Esq., Deputy Bar Counsel Respondent violated Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 5.5 and 8.4(a), (c) & (d). Date Draft Report Issued: Thursday, January 12, 2023. . 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. The non-lawyer prepared and signed documents using Respondents name as counsel. SIEJACK, Richard T. - Commission Reprimand for engaging in professional misconduct, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.3, 1.4, 1.15(d) and 8.1(b); failure to be fully attentive to various client matters and engaging in conduct in violation of Rules 1.3 and 1.4; failure to respond in a timely manner to the requests of several clients for an accounting of their funds (generally fees paid in advance) as required by Rule 1.15(d); and failure, in varying degrees, to respond promptly or at all to Bar Counsels lawful demands for information, as required by Rule 8.1(b). PRELLER, Steven B. 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. 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. Econsumer.gov, if your purchase was with a foreign retailer. Misc. 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. All rights reserved. Photo by Diane F. Evartt. COSTANZO, Frank M. - Disbarred on February 9, 2010 by the Court of Appeals for lack of competence, failure to carry out clients instructions, lack of diligence and failure to communicate with client; criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects; dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice; and misappropriation of client funds, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 8.4(b), (c) & (d) and Maryland Rule 16-609 and Maryland Code Ann., Business Occupations and Professions Article, 10-306. 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. 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. 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. 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 . 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 . TULLEY, Harold Joseph - Disbarred by Consent on September 1, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for filing a perjurious affidavit and failure to exercise diligence in representing bankruptcy clients. The petition filed by Bar Counsel charged him with misconduct, as defined by Maryland Rules 16-701(i), and 16-812, and consisting of violations . Slip opinions are subject to change. McCARTHY, Robert Michael Commission Reprimand for failing to provide competent and diligent representation as Temporary Guardian of the property of his Ward. - Disbarred by consent for misappropriation of client funds. 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. For questions related to opinions issued by the Ethics Committee or other ethical concerns, contact the Ethics Hotline at one of the numbers below. Maryland Independent Agencies REINHARDT, Richard J. ANSELMO, Pamela Jo - Reprimanded by consent for allowing false information on her firm letterhead and failure to respond to Bar Counsel. 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. Deborah L. Potter, Esq., Chair (chosen by Attorney Grievance Commission) KAPINUS, Bert W. - Commission Reprimand for engaging in professional misconduct in connection with his handling of a clients slip-and-fall personal injury case. KLEINSMITH, Philip M. Reprimand by Consent on May 24, 2013, as a reciprocal action to his March 20, 2012 Arizona reprimand. LEE, Garrett Lamont - Disbarred on October 7, 2009, effective immediately, by the Court of Appeals, as reciprocal discipline corresponding to his disbarment by consent in the District of Columbia. FY23 Sanctions and Actions Affecting LicensureNew 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. 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. FARBER, Mindy G. - Commission reprimand for giving misleading and inaccurate advise to a client. January 2023 Contacts ODeNEAL, Ramsdale, Jr. - Indefinite Suspension on December 17, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for violating Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.3 and 1.4 in connection with his representation in a criminal case. FISHER, Alene - Commission Reprimand for failure to competently represent her client by failure to advise her of potential tax consequences of the marital award coming from the supplemental retirement income plan, failure to timely pursue clarification of the Consent Order, failure to pursue the QDRO for six (6) months and failure to communicate with her client, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4. The Maryland Judiciary provides this information as a public service. 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. - Suspended indefinitely by consent for lack of diligence and failure to refund fees in bankruptcy cases. RYAN, Michael W., Jr. Maryland Municipalities 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). OLER, Carren Susan Indefinite Suspension by Consent on October 17, 2012, for failing to represent her client with reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to communicate with her client regarding the status of her case, for failing to refund the unearned portion of her advance retainer to her client upon termination of the representation, for failing to maintain her unearned fees in escrow, and for failing to respond to requests for information by Bar Counsel. 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. MARSALEK, Stephen F. - Suspended for 30 days by consent for failing to communicate, conflict of interest and failure to properly supervise non-lawyer employees. Suspended by consent for commingling funds in his trust account and medical problems related to the misconduct. HUNT, Mark Edward - Disbarred on December 4, 2012, effective immediately, Per Curiam Order. 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. Upon receipt of the proceeds, he failed to notify the creditor that he received the funds and disbursed the funds to his client. All rights reserved. Copyright 2023 Maryland Judiciary. A dispute arose between the Conservator and some beneficiaries of the Estate with respect to whether or not an agreement existed for the sale of the law practice, now to be determined by the Circuit Court. 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