Not Barred But Disbarred

The Maryland Court of Appeals disbarred an attorney who had never been barred in that jurisdiction. The attorney had, nonetheless, set up a law office in Rockville, Maryland. The attorney not only engaged in unauthorized practice, but falsely representing that she was admitted in Maryland. The attorney also committed client-related ethical violations in two matters.

The court concluded that disbarment was appropriate: “It is of no consequence that [the attorney] has never been admitted to the Maryland Bar.” The order “operates as an immediate directive that [the attorney] ‘promptly notify the disciplinary authority in each jurisdiction in which [she] is admitted to practice of the disciplinary sanction imposed by [this Court].’ ” (Mike Frisch)