Dishonest attorneys continue to be a nagging problem throughout Maryland, the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland wrote in its recent 2006 annual report.
“As far as dishonesty is concerned, or stealing funds, we?re telling lawyers: Don?t make misrepresentations to a client,” said Melvin Hirshman, bar counsel for the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland and the report?s author. “The Court of Appeals has said the purpose of disciplining an attorney is to protect the public.”
Forging signatures, stealing client funds and lying under oath were just some of the infractions lawyers across Maryland participated in between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006.
In all, 1,844 grievances were filed against attorneys, with 400 ruled as constituting more than minor misconduct. Of those 400, 74 resulted in discipline against lawyers.
“The largest area of complaints come against lawyers who aren?t acting diligently with their clients and communicating with them,” Hirshman said.
In Anne Arundel County, attorney Matthew S. Evans Jr. was disbarred after being convicted of fraud and Thomas W. Kinnane was disbarred for stealing client funds.
In Harford County, Joseph M. Guida was disbarred for forging a judge?s signature.
In Baltimore City, the Court of Appeals disbarred Eric J. Kapoor for forging a client?s signature, misappropriating funds and lying under oath.
In Baltimore County, John David Ash was disbarred for providing false information to the bar; Frederic M. Brandes for spending unearned fees; Ada E. Cherry-Mahoi for misappropriating client funds; and Michael J. Theriault for misappropriation and spousal abuse.
In Howard County, Peter R. Driscoll was disbarred for misrepresentation to a client and Robert R. Tousey for misappropriating client funds.
Though these incidents constitute serious breaches of ethics, the state saw lower complaints overall against attorneys than in previous years, Hirshman said.
“The bar basically is getting better,” Hirshman said. “I attribute that to what the law schools are doing ? lots of continuing education courses.”
Hirshman said that professionalism courses for all those newly admitted to the Maryland Bar, ethics classes in law schools and the publication of disciplinary cases by the Court of Appeals are encouraging attorneys to avoid wrongdoing.
Docketed Complaints Against Attorneys
» Anne Arundel: 19
» Baltimore County: 74
» Baltimore City: 68
» Carroll: 4
» Harford: 9
» Howard: 9
Source: Attorney Grievance Commission Fiscal Year 2006 Report
