First Time Offense, Disbarment Imposed

An attorney who had practiced since 1988 years without a bar complaint made his first disciplinary offense a huge one.

He was disbarred by the Maryland Court of Appeals for misappropriation, false statements and dishonesty.

The court affirmed findings that the attorney had engaged in a seven-year pattern of misappropriation of estate funds facilitated by a series of false statements to a probate court.

Given the dishonesty, and notwithstanding his clean record and significant community activities, the court rejected his plea for an indefinite suspension and imposed the ultimate sanction.

Practice pointer:  The trouble all started with an overdraft notice to Bar Counsel resulting from a bounced escrow check. (Mike Frisch)