A Case For Disbarment

Multiple failures, mishandling entrusted funds and dishonesty led to the disbarment of an attorney admitted in December 2014 by the Maryland Court of Appeals

These violations arose from respondent’s misconduct in two separate client matters, in which respondent failed to appear at a meeting with a client and at the client’s court hearing; failed to inform the client about his absences; failed to respond to the two clients’ numerous attempts to contact him; failed to return his collected fee to a client after performing no legal service; failed to deposit a client’s retainer fee into an attorney trust account; failed to notify a client’s medical provider about settlement funds received and to distribute its portion; abandoned a client’s case without notice and without returning unearned fees; failed to respond to the Bar Counsel’s requests for information and documentation; and misrepresented to a client that he was licensed to practice law in a state where he was not. The proper sanction for these violations is disbarment.

In one matter, the attorney took on an Oklahoma motor vehicle accident case without an Oklahoma license. He secured a $200,000 settlement.

The second matter involved defense of an assault charge.

Sanction

Respondent’s failures to safekeep funds and acts of dishonesty and misrepresentation each independently warrant disbarment absent compelling mitigating circumstances…

Respondent did not participate in any part of this disciplinary proceeding. He presented no evidence and no mitigating factors. Respondent acted with a dishonest and selfish motive, exhibited a pattern of misconduct, engaged in multiple offenses of the Maryland Rules, acted in bad faith to obstruct the disciplinary process, and showed indifference to making restitution. Disbarment is the appropriate sanction for respondent’s misconduct.

(Mike Frisch)