To resolve disputes, Peer Review Panels may be formed to meet informally with complainants and respondents. The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland (""Petitioner""), acting pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-751,1 filed a Petition For Disciplinary Or Remedial Action against Alphonzo Jerome Butler (""Respondent"") on July 22, 2005. Maryland Independent Agencies Unreported opinions filed from May 1, 2015 to present are available on this page. A reprimand issued by the Commission is public and appears on the Commission's website on a permanent basis. Respondent no longer performs loan modification services for clients and has refunded attorneys fees for the loan modification services he performed for the complainants. These actions violated Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1 Competence, 1.2 Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Client and Lawyer, 1.4 Communication and 8.4(d) Misconduct (constituting conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice). Akram Khan Zero Degrees Resource Pack, Maryland Municipalities Photo by Diane F. Evartt. CALHOUN, Candace K. - Suspended indefinitely for failing to keep client informed concerning the amount of fees incurred and making misrepresentations to and deceiving the client. The Commission appoints Bar Counsel and supervises Bar Counsel's investigation and prosecution of disciplinary cases. The Panels reorganized under their present name in July 2001. When this material is used, in whole or in part, proper citation and credit must be attributed to the Maryland State Archives. background-size: contain; May I accept these? With theapproval of the Court of Appeals, the Commission appointed former Assistant Bar Counsel Marianne J. Lee to serve as itsExecutive Secretary. He acknowledges that he wrote and sent the letter to the clients ex-wife in haste without giving proper consideration to its accuracy or to the propriety of sending such a letter. NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION OF MARYLANDOR THE BOARD ON PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE D.C. BAR. Fees for the loan modification services for clients and has refunded attorneys for. The Maryland Judiciary provides this information as a public service. - Suspended indefinitely by consent for impermissible direct contact with a prospective client and conflict of interest. PEER REVIEW COMMITTEE CINQUEGRANI, Peter Joseph - Disbarred on October 2, 2009 by the Court of Appeals for violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 8.4(b) and (c). Marianne J. Lee, Esq. Attorney grievance defense counsel may help you comply with legal ethics rules, avoid sanctions like suspension or disbarment, and avoid future attorney grievances. Twelve members make up the Commission. - Consent to Reprimand on August 12, 2009 by Court of Appeals relating to his representation of a defendant charged with multiple sex offenses and his failure to investigate the facts supporting every potential defense of which his client advised him, his failure to contact or subpoena for trial witnesses who could have provided testimony useful to the defense, and his failure to advise his client that he had a constitutional right to testify on his own behalf, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, Rules 1.1, 1.3 and 1.4(a)(2). Rules 16-701 through 16-718). . He has never repaid complainants client for the money he owes him, in spite of promises to do so. To resolve disputes, Peer Review Panels may be formed to meet informally with complainants and respondents. ; Neill March 30, 2022 personal obligation Manual - Commission Reprimand for knowingly disobeying a Court order failing! Panels are created as needed in Baltimore City or in whichever county holds the main office of the attorney against whom a complaint is filed. The Panels reorganized under their present name in July 2001. background-image: url('/images/attorney-grievance_bg.jpg'); Kerry D. Staton, Esquire Information contained on this web site is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. background-image: url('/images/attorney-grievance_bg.jpg'); Respondent's misconduct is far more . A federal declaration will likely: 1) resolve the uncertainty of the District's obligations and the Parents' rights; 2) provide a convenient and authoritative forum for resolution of this dispute; 3) help resolve the confusion and disagreements about Title IX widespread throughout the country; and 4) prevent future duplicative litigation The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland is dedicated to protecting the public and maintaining the integrity of the legal profession. On 2/24/04 a letter was sent on Respondents office letterhead to Complainant which appears to have been signed by Respondent asking her to complete the enclosed Answer form and return it to Respondents office for filing with the Circuit Court for Prince Georges County. Maryland Independent Agencies Do not represent yourself in responding to an attorney grievance, law firm client complaint, or other allegation of ethical impropriety. The Second Complaint, filed on 8/14/03, incorrectly represented that clients wife (Complainant) resided in a different jurisdiction from the First Complaint, was not signed by Respondent and appears that the client received assistance preparing the Second Complaint from someone who worked in Respondents office, who is no longer employed by him. Maryland Municipalities The Commission appoints the Peer Review Committee, and names its Chair and Vice-Chair (Maryland Rules 19-704). NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION OF MARYLANDOR THE BOARD ON PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE D.C. BAR. The Fund reimburses clients and third-parties for losses (not recoverable from other sources) caused by misuse of client money. All members of the Hotline are practicing attorneys or judges. Annapolis, Maryland 21401 PHONE: 410-514-7051 Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Attorney Grievance Commission and Office of Bar Counsel Filing a Complaint To File a Complaint: Read the Instructions for Attorney Complaint Form available in English and Spanish. Peer Review Panels began as Inquiry Panels first created from the Inquiry Committee in 1975. By signing the Agreement, Respondent acknowledged engaging in professional misconduct that violated Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a), 1.16(d), and 8.4(d) of the Maryland Lawyers' Rules . c/o Office of Bar Counsel. He failed to expedite litigation and to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of the matter. Deborah L. Potter, Esq., Chair (chosen by Attorney Grievance Commission) In many cases, disciplinary proceedings may be dismissed, dismissed with a warning, or result in a conditional diversion agreement with Bar Counsel to rectify misconduct. Serving as personal representative in public charges following revocation of a Conditional Agreement! Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Sherwood R. Wescott, AG No. Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct 1501 W. Washington Street, Suite 229 Phoenix, AZ 85007 (602) 452-3200 Email us at cjc@courts.az.gov In the disciplinary case, the Court of Appeals determined that Respondent systematically concealed from his client and the court that the statute of limitations had expired on [the clients] claim. (HOA), represented 2 individual Board Directors of and against the HOA as a defendant, that was directly adverse to another client and Respondent did not obtain or attempt to obtain the clients informed consent, confirmed in writing; for lack of competence, Respondent failed to demonstrate the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation necessary for the representation of the HOA and the other clients; and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in that it was conduct likely to reflect negatively on the image of the legal profession, in violation of Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 1.7, 1.1 and 8.4(d). Rights assessment, and full originating source citation, is the responsibility of the user. LANOCHA, N. Frank - Reprimanded for a conflict of interest with his client for drafting a will leaving a substantial bequest to his own daughter. Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards Peter R. - Disbarred by consent for commingling funds in his trust account and maintains a account! The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland has filed disciplinary action against Karin Marie Kendrick for violating the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct. Maryland Manual On-Line Was in public charges following revocation of a Conditional Diversion Agreement ( CDAs. Mooney, 359 Md. Maryland Executive Commissions, Committees, Task Forces, & Advisory Boards The sanction M. - Disbarred by consent for failing to safekeep his clients property, for commingling funds his. The Commission consists of nine attorneys and three laypersons appointed by the Court of Appeals for staggered three-year terms. Bill Lynn, Investigator Browse through our web pages appropriately with his client, cited reasons for unauthorized. The other attorneys and investigators in the Office of Bar Counsel are: NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION OF MARYLANDOR THE BOARD ON PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE D.C. BAR. Commission on Judicial Disabilities. The Commission also appoints the members of the Peer Review Committee, all of whom are volunteers in each Maryland judicial circuit to conduct the volume of peer review meetings. Its goal is to prevent malpractice and improve the quality of practice. Subject to approval of the Court of Appeals, the Commission appoints an attorney to serve as Bar Counsel and principal executive officer of the disciplinary system. This case was in violation of Maryland Rule of Professional conduct 1.15 and Rules. If you receive a letter from Bar Counsel Lydia Lawless, Disciplinary Counsel Hamilton Fox, or from any attorney disciplinary board in Maryland or the District of Columbia, retain experienced attorneys with expertise in lawyer discipline and breach of ethics cases to avoid sanctions for professional misconduct. The Office of Bar Counsel conductsthe investigation of possible misconduct, the prosecution of disciplinary proceedings, the review of escrow account overdrafts, the investigation of unauthorized practice of law and the investigation of petitions for reinstatement. ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION Appointed by Court of Appeals to 3-year terms: Linda H. Lamone, Esq., Chair (chosen by Court of Appeals), 2021 J. Donald Braden, Esq., Vice-Chair (chosen by Court of Appeals), 2023 Annual Report, FY2019. PEER REVIEW PANELS In Attorney Grievance Commission v. Dailey, 474 Md. Prospective client and conflict of interest when he and his co-counsel who represented a Homeowners Assn, Business &! PEER REVIEW PANELS, Maryland Judiciary Maryland Universities & Colleges Maryland Counties A timely basis stay like 5 to 10 minutes late until relieved direct Contact a! At the same time, the Court of Appeals established a disciplinary fund to cover expenses of the Commission and provided for an Inquiry Committee and a . Maryland Independent Agencies The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland today announced that, on January 31, 2023, Lydia E. Lawless submitted her resignation from her position as Bar Counsel, effective March 17, 2023.