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An attorney admitted in 2011 was disbarred by the Maryland Court of Appeals

Disbarment is the appropriate sanction for Respondent’s numerous and severe violations of the MARPC and Business Occupations and Professions Article. Respondent abandoned the representation of seven clients. In those matters, Respondent collected fees and then abandoned the client before completing the objective of the representation. In ten client matters, Respondent failed to respond to his clients’ requests for information and even sent a mass email directing his clients not to contact him regarding the status of their matters. Respondent failed to deposit and maintain client funds in an attorney trust account until earned in several instances, and Respondent failed to provide his clients with refunds of unearned fees. Furthermore, Respondent engaged in deceitful and dishonest conduct by knowingly and intentionally misrepresenting that he needed additional funds for “filing fees” and subsequently misappropriating one of those payments.

In addition, Respondent failed to provide responses to the majority of Bar Counsel’s numerous requests for information and documentation. When Respondent did provide a response, his responses were untimely and incomplete. Respondent failed to participate in the attorney grievance proceeding by failing to: file an answer to the Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial Action; respond to Bar Counsel’s discovery requests; and appear at the September 24, 2019, hearing or the hearing before this Court.

The multiple infractions involving multiple client matters warrant disbarment.

The respondent had appeared through counsel at the hearing. Counsel sought a continuance and advised the circuit court judge that she had been retained solely for the purpose of seeking the continuance.

Request denied; default entered.

Maryland is one of those places that takes the duty to respond and cooperate seriously. (Mike Frisch)