In December 1995, I took the oath prescribed in Maryland Business Occupations and Professions Code Ann. 10-212. I swore that I would, “at all times demean myself fairly and honorably as an attorney and practitioner at law;...more
Earlier this year, the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility issued Formal Opinion 514 addressing a lawyer’s obligations for advising an organizational client when the advice might also be relied...more
No, I am not referring to the Britney Spears song. Instead, it’s fake case cites, a judge’s admonition, sanctions and impending discipline. Today’s lesson comes from U.S. District Court Judge Kelly Rankin in the District of...more
Last week, the Maryland Supreme Court suspended Maryland District Court Judge Jennifer Etheridge for 20 days for violations of the Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct. The charges, Etheridge’s response, and the order from the...more
2/7/2025
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Disciplinary Proceedings ,
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Ethics ,
Judges ,
Judicial Proceedings ,
Legal Ethics ,
Maryland ,
Model Code of Judicial Conduct ,
Professional Misconduct ,
Professional Responsibility ,
Sanctions ,
Suspensions & Debarments
My new favorite judge is The Honorable R. David Proctor, chief U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Alabama. I love his Nov. 26, 2024 order granting an Opposed Motion Extension of Time to respond to a complaint....more
The phone rings. The voice on the other end asks you to take the case. The fee is great. You feel for the potential client. The subject is interesting but outside your expertise. What do you do?
Originally published in The...more
If you have been to a deposition, you have heard both improper questions and improper objections. Rarely, however, do court opinions or rules focus on whether counsel’s behavior violated the Rules of Professional Conduct. I...more
A new client calls. She is a healthcare provider. She has gotten a letter from the licensing board. She needs assistance preparing an initial response and representation at the board interview. She’s convinced the complaint...more