Insight Into Grimm Disbarment

The shocking news that a high profile criminal defense counsel was disbarred by consent in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals did not come with any information about his reason for accepting the ultimate sanction.

The rule regarding D.C. consents commands that result. The factual basis and conceded violations are contained in a confidential affidavit filed with the court.

The Maryland Court of Appeals, by contrast, cites the Rule violation in its order of reciprocal discipline

Upon consideration of the Joint Petition for Disbarment by Consent filed by the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland and the Respondent, Bernard Seton Grimm, pursuant to Maryland Rule 19-736, in which the Respondent admits that he violated Rule 1.15(a) (safekeeping property) of the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct, it is this 17th day of August 2021

ORDERED, by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, that the Respondent, Bernard Seton Grimm, be, and he hereby is, disbarred from the practice of law in the State of Maryland, effective September 1, 2021…

The rule involves handling entrusted funds. (Mike Frisch)