Maryland Sanction Draws Reciprocal Discipline

The Colorado Presiding Disciplinary Judge imposed reciprocal discipline for a Maryland sanction

The Presiding Disciplinary Judge entered summary judgment, issued an opinion addressing the appropriate sanction to impose as reciprocal discipline, and suspended George L. Farmer (attorney registration number 30492) from the practice of law in Colorado for one year and one day. Farmer’s suspension takes effect on July 11, 2024. If Farmer seeks to reinstate his Colorado law license following his suspension, he must prove by clear and convincing evidence that he has been rehabilitated, has complied with all disciplinary orders and rules, and is fit to practice law. He also must first be reinstated in Maryland, which similarly requires Farmer to petition to reinstate, unless he shows good cause otherwise. Should Maryland reinstate Farmer before the full term of his suspension in Colorado runs, he may seek to reinstate in Colorado at that time.

This reciprocal discipline case arose out of discipline imposed on Farmer in Maryland. On July 10, 2023, the Supreme Court of Maryland indefinitely suspended Farmer, who is not to practice law in that state. Farmer’s Maryland discipline was premised on his representation of two clients—both Maryland residents—with conflicting interests; charging one of the clients an unreasonable fee; filing a frivolous action in federal court against that same client’s agent, a Maryland lawyer serving as co-trustee of the client’s trust; engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in Maryland; and violating the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Conduct.

The Maryland decision is linked here. (Mike Frisch)