LAWYERS DISCIPLINED AND DISBARRED: Sanctions and actions affecting licensure in the fiscal year 2021; Featuring the Blackbeard of Calvert Craig Langrall & Good Ol’ Boy Judge Mark Chandlee

THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY – ALL CRIME ALL THE TIME – Copyright 2020

CROOKED LAWYERS: Former Attorney Craig Langrall Sentenced in Felony Theft Case; Easy Deal by Good Ol’ Boy Judge Mark Chandlee Lets Langrall Luxuriate in Calvert County Jail for Only Six Months instead of Maryland Prison for a Decade

Non-violent drug offenders, undocumented shoppers, and others committing misdemeanor crimes regularly are sentenced to jail for at least 18 months but not a confessed felon-lawyer in Judge Mark Chandlee’s court.

Does the Blackbeard of Calvert know where the bodies are buried in Prince Frederick?

PRINCE FREDERICK, MD. Craig Langrall, 41, (DOB 10/20/1979) of Tracy’s Landing, MD, was sentenced on March 12, 2021, to 10 years’ incarceration in the Maryland prison system, with all but 6 months suspended, for the crime of Felony Theft over $25,000.  Calvert County Circuit Court Judge Mark S.  Chandlee also required Langrall to complete 5 years of probation. Further, the Judge ordered: “Defendant to have no contact with the victim. Defendant to have mental health evaluation with Calvert Behavioral Health.”

Cleaned out $40 Gs from his client!

Langrall was a practicing attorney in Calvert County as well as St. Mary’s, when he was hired by the victim in 2015 to provide legal representation in a family law matter.  During the course of that representation, Langrall embezzled $40,000 from the victim, which he used for personal expenses.

At the hearing on March 12, 2021, Langrall apologized to the victim, who was present in the courtroom.  As part of the sentencing, the State confirmed that Langrall had repaid the $40,000 – after he was caught red-handed.

The Calvert Assistant States Attorney Benjamin Lerner argued that the crime represented a serious breach of trust and warranted a period of incarceration.  Judge Chandlee agreed and required Langrall to serve 6 months at the Calvert County Jail.

Langrall has been disbarred by the Maryland Court of Appeals and is no longer allowed to practice law. Is he working now as a jailhouse lawyer?

LANGRALL, Craig Harrison – Disbarred on May 22, 2020, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to abide by the scope of representation, failing to identify a conflict of interest, failing to maintain truthfulness in statements to others, committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.

The ruling of the Attorney Grievance Commission found that Langrall repeatedly made misrepresentations to his client regarding the status of her cases, including the misrepresentation that he secured $900,000.00 in judgments in the client’s favor when, in fact, the cases were dismissed because of his failure to serve defendants.

According to his LinkedIn page, Langrall was educated at Princeton and in 2009 became associated with the Prince Frederick law firm of Davis Upton & Palumbo LLC.

SANCTIONS AND ACTIONS AFFECTING LICENSURE (FY 2021)

Debra Lee ACKERMAN, – Suspension by Consent for sixty days on January 4, 2021, effective March 8, 2021, for knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent made numerous misrepresentations to Bar Counsel.

George R. ADAMS, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on September 17, 2020, for failing to represent multiple immigration clients competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, failing to take steps to protect his client’s interests upon termination of his representation, failing to properly supervise a non-attorney assistant, knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or
misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. The Respondent, who was not admitted to the Maryland Bar, failed to keep his clients informed concerning the status of their immigration applications, failed to supervise non-attorney staff members in their dealings with his clients, and failed to properly withdraw from representation upon his retirement. Respondent then approved and submitted letters providing misinformation to Bar Counsel during its investigation.

Oladipo Akinwunmi AKIN-DEKO, – Indefinite Suspension on September 24, 2020, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent failed to appear for a motions hearing in a matter before the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, failed to respond to multiple orders to show cause, and failed to respond in any manner to disciplinary authorities.

Zionne AKPAN, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on May 11, 2021, effective July 10, 2021, for failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, failing to comply with attorney trust account record-keeping requirements, and making cash withdrawals from her attorney trust account. Over a two-year period, Respondent regularly deposited personal funds into her trust account, made numerous cash withdrawals from the account, and failed to maintain client matter records.

THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY All Crime All The Time

This attorney discipline proceeding involves an attorney who engaged in what can
best be described as a one-man misconduct wave over the course of several years in
connection with numerous client matters.

Darryl Russel ARMSTRONG, – Disbarred on November 20, 2020, effective immediately, for failing to represent his clients competently and diligently, failing to abide by the scope of the representation, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to obtain his client’s informed consent, confirmed in writing, to hold the funds outside of trust, failing to promptly remove earned fees from his attorney trust account, failing to take steps to protect his clients’ interests upon
termination of his representation, failing to maintain fairness to opposing parties and counsel, knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law to a third person, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, and using trust money for purposes other than the purpose for which the money is entrusted.
Respondent failed to take necessary and fundamental steps in cases, failed to respond to discovery, failed to appear at pre-trial conferences and hearings on behalf of clients, appeared at proceedings unprepared, abandoned representation of clients, failed to sufficiently and timely communicate with clients, failed to remit funds from clients’ settlements to pay outstanding medical bills, failed to deposit and maintain client and third-party funds in an attorney trust account, failed to consult with clients or provide updates, charged fees and provided little to no legal services, entered into a contingency fee arrangement but failed to memorialize the agreement in writing signed by his client, failed to provide a settlement disbursement sheet to his client, provided inaccurate settlement disbursement sheets to clients, deposited trust funds into an account other than an attorney trust account without his clients’ informed consent, failed to return unearned fees or to provide copies of files to clients, threatened to “blow up” a building in which a physical therapy facility that had filed a complaint against him was located, intentionally misappropriated
settlement proceeds owed to clients
or medical providers for his own personal use and benefit, made misrepresentations to clients and third parties, and fraudulently altered two checks.

Kellee Genean BAKER, – Reprimand by Consent on March 26, 2021, for failing to represent her client competently and diligently and for engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. In a civil suit filed against Respondent, her real estate company, and her client, Respondent evaded service and failed to respond to the complaint until after default judgments were entered and writs of garnishment were issued against all defendants.


Sarah Ruth BARNWELL, – Suspension by Consent for sixty days on March 3, 2021, effective April 2, 2021, for failing to represent her client competently and diligently, failing to abide by the scope of the representation, failing to adequately communicate with her client, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account and failing to obtain her client’s informed consent, confirmed in writing, to hold the funds outside of trust, failing to take steps to protect her client’s interest upon termination of the representation, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of
justice, and making cash withdrawals from her attorney trust account. Respondent failed to provide services as identified in her retainer agreement and failed to provide her client an accounting or return unearned fees.

Michael Scott BIRCH, – Disbarment by Consent on February 4, 2021, effective February 25, 2021, for failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Proceeds of a retirement account were deposited into Respondent’s attorney trust account as attorney for an estate, and Respondent failed to identify the funds as estate
property and misappropriated the funds for his own personal use and benefit. Respondent was subsequently criminally charged with embezzlement and theft.

William Franklin BURTON, – Disbarment by Consent on October 13, 2020, effective immediately, for failing to represent his clients competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to take steps to protect his clients’ interests upon termination of his representation, failing to maintain fairness to opposing parties and counsel, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. In the representation of several clients, Respondent failed to act with reasonable competence and diligence and failed to communicate adequately, including making false statements to some of the clients about the status of their matters. Respondent also failed to respond to Bar Counsel’s requests for a response to each of the complaints filed against him.

Melvin Joseph CALDWELL Jr. – Commission Reprimand on December 21, 2020, for failing to adequately communicate with his client. Respondent was unaware that his client’s retainer payment had been received due to internal office miscommunications and failed to stay in contact with his client regarding upcoming status conference dates. Upon receiving his client’s executed retainer agreement and payment, Respondent failed to enter his appearance in his client’s case, which resulted in Respondent not receiving court notifications.

Sandy Yeh CHANG, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on January 19, 2021, effective immediately, for engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, and failing to abide by the requirements of her prior suspension.
Respondent engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in Maryland when she signed a retainer agreement on behalf of her firm and communicated with the client regarding his cases while she was still suspended from practicing law in Maryland. Respondent also engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in Maryland when she failed to disclose her suspension while obtaining special admission, pro hac vice, in two cases pending before the Circuit Court for Montgomery County.

Committing criminal act

Ronald Howard COOPER, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on February 2, 2021, effective February 6, 2021, with the right to petition for reinstatement after thirty days, for committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Between 2012 and 2017, Respondent failed to timely file federal and state payroll tax returns and remit payments to the Internal Revenue Service and the Comptroller of Maryland.

Thomas Bullard DABNEY Jr. – Reprimand by Consent on March 26, 2021, for communicating about the subject of representation with a person known to be represented by counsel and for engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent participated in a conference call between his client and the opposing party and did not seek permission from the opposing party’s attorney to communicate directly with the opposing party.

Threw his client to the wolves

Wortham David DAVENPORT, – Disbarred on November 20, 2020, effective immediately, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to abide by the scope of representation, failing to adequately communicate with his client, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to take steps to protect his client’s interest upon termination of the representation, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, and
engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent represented a client in a divorce and custody proceeding and abandoned all representation soon after its outset. Respondent failed to attend scheduled hearings, did not advise his client of the hearings, and failed to respond to discovery requests and motions. Respondent failed to withdraw from the case after the client terminated the representation, thereby adversely affecting the client’s ability to settle the matter. Respondent also failed to return the unearned fee even after the client requested a refund.

Specialized in dishonest, fraud, deceit

Bruce Nicholas DESIMONE, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on April 7, 2021, effective May 10, 2021, with the right to petition for reinstatement after ninety days, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to properly supervise a non-attorney assistant, knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent failed to represent two clients with competence and diligence in their postjudgment garnishment matter. Respondent delegated the garnishment matter to his paralegal, whose work Respondent failed to adequately supervise and whose misrepresentations Respondent ratified. Respondent then failed to take adequate remedial action and attempted to conceal his paralegal’s misrepresentations.

Charles Allan FINEBLUM, – Suspension for six months and one day on April 26, 2021, effective May 26, 2021, for failing to adequately communicate with his clients, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to properly supervise non-attorney assistants, impermissibly sharing legal fees with non-attorneys, assisting another in engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, failing to comply with attorney trust account record-keeping requirements, and commingling funds. Respondent
delegated significant responsibilities in personal injury matters to an independent paralegal firm. Respondent neglected to supervise that paralegal firm and his clients’ cases, shared fees with that firm, and failed to properly manage his attorney trust account.

engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit


James Joseph FOURNIER, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on August 14, 2020, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to abide by the scope of representation, failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to maintain candor to the tribunal, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent failed to comply with applicable discovery rules and as a result his client’s
expert witness was precluded from testifying at trial. In addition, the Respondent’s statements regarding discovery disputes were not credible.

Ernest P. FRANCIS, – Suspension on May 27, 2021, effective immediately, in a reciprocal action
from the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board where the Board revoked Respondent’s license to
practice law in Virginia, effective March 23, 2021, pending further Order from the Court of Appeals.

Used client funds to pay for his own spending

David Elliott FRANK, – Disbarred on August 26, 2020, for failing to represent his client competently, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent commingled personal and client funds in his attorney trust account, used the funds in his attorney trust account for personal and familial financial obligations, failed to disburse his client’s settlement funds in a timely manner, and misused his client’s settlement funds.


Joshua Thomas GILLELAN II, – Commission Reprimand on July 21, 2020, for failing to comply with the mandatory annual Pro Bono and IOLTA reporting requirements and failing to pay his mandatory annual assessment to the Client Protection Fund of Maryland for a number of years.

Louis J. GLICK – Reprimand by Consent on March 18, 2021, for knowingly assisting another in violating the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct and failing to comply with attorney trust account prohibited transaction requirements. Respondent assisted Jonathan Resnick in conduct that violated the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct based on his failure to repudiate a Law Firm Funding Agreement arranged for him by Jonathan Resnick. Respondent accepted the Law Firm Funding Agreement, thereby pledging funds required to be deposited in an attorney trust account as security for debts incurred by Jonathan Resnick.

GOLESORKHI, Reza – Commission Reprimand on July 21, 2020, for failing to recognize a conflict of interest. In a business transaction, Respondent represented both the buyer and seller, whose interests were adverse, and failed to obtain informed consent from either party to waive the conflict and proceed with the joint representation.


Kamah Menseleh GUEH-THORONKA, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on May 20, 2021, effective immediately, with the right to petition for reinstatement after six months, for failing to represent her client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with her client, failing to communicate the scope of the representation and the basis or rate of the fee and expenses for which her client would be responsible before or within a reasonable time after commencing the representation, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, and failing to comply with attorney trust account record-keeping requirements. Respondent represented a client in multiple legal matters over a period of several years and, among other issues, failed to communicate the basis or rate of her fees in each matter to her client and was unable to account accurately for rent payments she collected from a tenant on behalf of her client, a portion of which was used to pay her fees.

Samuel Cartenius HAMILTON, – Commission Reprimand on September 22, 2020, for failing to adequately communicate with his client, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, and failing to maintain adequate client matter records. Respondent collected a $5,000.00 fee from his client, failed to provide any substantive services of value, failed to deposit and maintain his client’s funds in an attorney trust account until earned, and failed to provide his client with invoices for fees charged.

Michele Renee HARRIS, – Commission Reprimand on March 22, 2021, for failing to represent her client competently and diligently, failing to recognize a conflict of interest, failing to uphold her duty to a former client, failing to properly supervise a non-attorney assistant, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent prepared a power of attorney and deed for an elderly client and failed to conduct a sufficient investigation of the appropriateness, need, or reasons for the new deed and power of attorney. Later, a Petition for Guardianship of her client’s person and property was filed, and Respondent represented her client’s son in his opposition to the Petition when she knew or should have known that her representation of the son presented a conflict of interest.

Ferdinand Uchechukwu IBEBUCHI, – Indefinite Suspension on November 20, 2020, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to take steps to protect his client’s interest upon termination of the representation, failing to reasonably expedite litigation, failing to maintain fairness to opposing party and counsel, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent failed to timely respond to discovery requests, failed to appear for trial, and failed to advise his client that a default judgment had been entered against him. Respondent then failed to take action to assist his client with vacating the judgment, failed to follow up with his client, and failed to refund any portion of the fee charged for his services.

Jelani Dale JAMES, – Commission Reprimand on July 27, 2020, for making cash withdrawals from his attorney trust account.

engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation

Chauncey Bayarculus JOHNSON, – Indefinite Suspension on March 16, 2021, effective April 15, 2021, with the right to petition for reinstatement after one year, for failing to represent his clients competently, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, failing to make required deposits in an attorney trust account, and failing to comply with attorney trust account prohibited transaction requirements. Respondent failed to maintain an attorney trust account, failed to timely remit funds due to clients, failed to safeguard client funds, failed to maintain his trust obligations to clients, made misrepresentations to clients, and commingled funds.

Arthur Gary KAHN, – Commission Reprimand on November 25, 2020, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Respondent failed to appear for his client’s trial because he failed to provide the court with his new mailing address. Respondent filed a motion to vacate the court’s order of dismissal but failed to appear for the hearing on the motion due to a calendaring error. Respondent also failed to deposit and maintain his client’s funds in an attorney trust account until earned.

Respondent’s intentionally dishonest conduct involved the misappropriation of estate funds

Nicholas G. KARAMBELAS, – Disbarred on October 6, 2020, effective immediately, for failing to represent his clients competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to maintain candor to the tribunal, committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, and using trust money for purposes other than the purpose for which the money is entrusted. Respondent’s intentionally dishonest conduct involved the misappropriation of estate funds and various misrepresentations to the Orphan’s Court as well as to his clients.

KEATING, Mary Theresa – Indefinite Suspension on December 23, 2020, effective immediately, for failing to maintain candor to the tribunal, committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on her honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent falsely attested that she witnessed her client’s signature on a will she prepared for him by adding her signature as a witness three days after her client’s death.
Respondent then submitted the will to the Register of Wills when she filed a petition for
administration of her deceased client’s estate, falsely affirming under the penalty of perjury in the
petition that the will was properly executed in accordance with Maryland law when she knew she
had not witnessed the decedent’s signature.

Olufolajimi Abayomi KOLAWOLE, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on February 5, 2021, effective March 15, 2021, with the right to petition for reinstatement after six months, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law to a third person, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent notarized a General Power of Attorney (“POA”) and a document entitled “Indemnity” even though he had not communicated directly with the individual giving the authority or witnessed her sign either document. In addition, Respondent offered to help effectuate the POA and Indemnity with the individual’s bank and advised the bank that he had “witnessed the signature ceremony,” a false statement that Respondent failed to correct.

Jillian Nicole KONG-SIVERT, – Reprimand by Consent on May 27, 2021, in a reciprocal action from the Supreme Court of Arizona for violating the Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct in failing to represent her clients competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with her clients, collecting unreasonable fees, filing frivolous pleadings, failing to reasonably expedite litigation, failing to properly supervise a non-attorney assistant, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent submitted multiple deficient immigration applications and failed to calendar deadlines to submit applications, which resulted in applications being rejected and client matters ultimately abandoned. Respondent then failed to promptly inform Bar Counsel of the Arizona discipline.

Jennifer Lynn LEATHERMAN, – Disbarred on May 27, 2021, effective immediately, by Per Curiam Order. Opinion of the Court of Appeals to follow.

Nancy Theresa LORD, – Indefinite Suspension on December 10, 2020, effective immediately, in reciprocal action from the Supreme Court of Nevada for violating the Nevada Rules of Professional Conduct. Respondent made statements that she knew to be false concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge.

Jonathan Frederick Seamon LOVE, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on January 4, 2021, effective on February 19, 2021, with the right to petition for reinstatement after ninety days, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent agreed to defend a client in a lawsuit for breach of contract and agreed to assist the client in additional related
services. Respondent failed to advise his client that his funds had been depleted, failed to timely provide his client with an invoice accounting for his time, and failed to maintain adequate records of costs paid on his client’s behalf. With respect to the breach of contract litigation, Respondent failed to appear for a settlement conference and failed to respond to the opposing party’s discovery requests, resulting in the court granting a motion for sanctions and precluding the Respondent’s client from introducing any evidence at trial.

Rand William LUCEY, – Commission Reprimand on October 21, 2020, for failing to represent his client diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, and failing to take steps to protect his client’s interest upon termination of his representation. Over a five-year period, Respondent failed to inform his client of the status of her case or terminate the representation.

Thomas McCarthy Jr. – Disbarred on May 27, 2021, for failing to represent his client diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to withdraw from representing his client when continued representation would result in violation of the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty,
trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Respondent failed to file an opening brief, appendix, or motion to extend time on behalf of a company he represented, resulting in the dismissal of the company’s appeal. Respondent failed to inform the company’s owner of missed filing deadlines and of the appeal’s dismissal and instead knowingly and intentionally misrepresented to the company’s owner that he was working on reinstating the appeal. Respondent also held himself out as his client’s attorney during a period when he was suspended from the practice of law in Maryland. In addition, Respondent failed to
provide timely and complete responses to Bar Counsel.

Michael Anthony MITCHELL, – Commission Reprimand on November 30, 2020, for failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, and disclosing confidential client information. The Respondent accepted a payment from his client via PayPal and failed to ensure those funds were deposited directly into his attorney trust account and maintained until earned. In addition, the Respondent did not send an invoice to his client during the pendency of his representation and disclosed confidential client information when he emailed
a portion of a Bar Counsel complaint to a friend.

Lies caused his client to be deported but lawyer only suspended for 60 days by the daffodils of the Maryland Bar

David Fernando MORENO, – Suspension by Consent for sixty days on January 4, 2021, effective immediately, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to take steps to protect his client’s interest upon termination of the representation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Respondent represented a client in immigration matters and, after failing to respond to his client’s attempts to reach him during the months leading up to his client’s asylum hearing, advised his client to attend the hearing without counsel to request a postponement. Respondent failed to appear at the hearing, and the Court ordered his client deported. Although Respondent told his client he would assist him in reopening the case thereafter, Respondent failed to take any further action.

engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation,

Timothy J. MURPHY, – Disbarment by Consent on November 4, 2020, effective January 1, 2021, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to take steps to protect his client’s interest upon termination of the representation, knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration
of justice.

Charles Alex MURRAY, – Indefinite Suspension on August 24, 2020, with the right to petition for reinstatement only following reinstatement in Florida and the District of Columbia, in a reciprocal action from the Supreme Court of Florida for making a false statement to a tribunal and failing to correct his false statement previously made to the tribunal. Respondent signed a client’s name to a post-conviction motion verification and perjury acknowledgement and thereafter failed to take corrective action to notify the tribunal concerning the falsified client signature.

Chuck-Nabit-Biz-Journal

Charles John NABIT – Disbarred by Consent on May 12, 2021, for committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent pled guilty to one count of transporting an individual to engage in prostitution in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2421.

Lawyer/Pimp/Addiction Center Owner Chuck Nabit Pleads Guilty to Transportation of an Individual to Engage in Prostitution

Nabit, who Previously Owned a Drug Treatment Center, Paid at Least $90,000 for Commercial Sex with Women who Struggled with Addiction and Supplied at least One of the Women with Cocaine on Several Occasions

Baltimore, Maryland – Charles “Chuck” Nabit, 64, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty on April 9, 2021, to transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution.  Nabit, who owns residences and resides in Bethany Beach, Delaware and Deerfield Beach, Florida, is the owner of Westport Group, LLC. and previously owned Mountain Manor Treatment Center, a comprehensive drug treatment center.

 “Charles Nabit used his wealth, his business and his position in society to facilitate his pattern of commercial sex, including with women suffering from narcotics addiction,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lenzner.  “Rather than use his resources to assist these victims, Nabit paid thousands of dollars to engage them in commercial sex acts. This guilty plea should remind others like Mr. Nabit that no one is above the law, no matter their wealth or stature.”

According to his guilty plea, beginning in 2017 until his arrest on June 10, 2020, Nabit regularly paid for commercial sex.  The seven women whom Nabit admitted he paid for commercial sex (Victim 1 through Victim 7), either regularly used narcotics or suffered from serious substance abuse disorders during the time periods in which Nabit engaged in commercial sex with them.  

Nabit admitted that from August 2018 to May 2020, he paid at least $90,000, as well as an unknown amount of cash, to women with whom he had commercial sex.  This includes 52 Cash App transactions to an individual whom he knew to be someone other than the woman he was seeing for commercial sex.  For example, on April 11, 2019, Nabit received a message from the Cash App account associated with an adult male named De’Angelo Johnson requesting $140 for “coming thru on a good girl and a hot girl.”  The victim, Victim 1, had requested that Nabit pay her directly, sending a message to Nabit’s CashApp account, but Nabit refused to pay her and sent $145 payment to the Cash App account associated with Johnson with a message indicating the payment was “for (the first name of Victim 1).”         

As detailed in his plea agreement, Nabit regularly transported victims to and from his Baltimore office for commercial sex, either in his vehicle or by using a rideshare car service.  In separate encounters with Victim 1, Victim 3, and Victim 5, Nabit also recorded their sex acts with a Go Pro camera despite their objections to being filmed.  Nabit was aware of Victim 5’s substance abuse as she discussed her struggles with addiction and depression.  Nabit knew that, more than likely, some of the money provided to Victim 5 was being used to fund her drug use.

According to the plea agreement, beginning no later than February 2019, Nabit began seeing Victim 6 for commercial sex and travel dates.  She discussed her addiction struggles with Nabit on several occasions. During their sexual encounters, Nabit provided Victim 6 with monetary payment and cocaine.  For example, Nabit paid $5,000 to Victim 6 for her to accompany him to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and engage in commercial sex.  During that trip, Nabit also provided Victim 6 with cocaine.  Nabit also traveled with Victim 6 to a hotel in Richmond, Virginia on at least three separate occasions to engage in commercial sex.  Victim 6 was paid at least $1,000 in cash for one of these trips.  Hotel records revealed multiple overnight stays by Nabit between August 2019 and March 2020.

Until her death in May 2019, Nabit admitted that he also regularly engaged in commercial sex with Victim 7.  Victim 7 repeatedly discussed her drug addiction in text messages and expressed her desire to obtain treatment for her substance abuse with Nabit.  Specifically, on August 13, 2018, Victim 7 told Nabit she completed an application for Mountain Manor Treatment Center and Nabit replied, “As you recall, I used to own MM and my ex-partner still does.”  Nabit and Victim 7’s mother spoke on several occasions about Victim 7’s drug use.  For example, on August 18, 2018, Nabit texted Victim 7’s mother about Victim 7 going to drug rehabilitation.  Nabit stated that Victim 7 began using opiates again but that “she seemed to handle crack ok for weeks.”   On May 23, 2019, Victim 7’s mother informed Nabit that Victim 7 had overdosed on drugs and died.

On December 9, 2019, Nabit and his attorney met with investigators for an interview in relation to a sex-trafficking investigation involving alleged sex trafficker De’Angelo Johnson and Victims, 1, 2, 3, and 4.  During this interview, Nabit was asked whether he was aware that the sex trafficking victims were drug users.  He was shown pictures of four victims and claimed to have only been aware of one victim’s drug use.  He also claimed he had never seen signs of drug use in the remaining victims, as he had owned a drug treatment facility for 10 years and he would have recognized signs of drug use.

On June 10, 2020, Nabit was arrested and law enforcement executed federal search warrants for his person, his electronics, his Baltimore office, and his vehicle.  Law enforcement recovered numerous sex toys and filming equipment, including five Go Pro cameras, from Nabit’s office.  Nabit’s office also had a large sectional sofa that converted to a bed which had a sheet on it.  A forensic analysis of Nabit’s cell phone and Go Pro cameras recovered numerous messages related to commercial sex as well as images and videos of victims engaging in commercial sex with Nabit.

Nabit faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for transportation of an individual to engage in prostitution.  U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III has scheduled sentencing for June 24, 2021 at 9:30 a.m.

Samuel Sudhaker NALLI, – Commission Reprimand on October 28, 2020, for failing to safekeep unearned fees in an attorney trust account, failing to take steps to protect his client’s interest upon termination of the representation, and failing to make required deposits in an attorney trust account.
Respondent charged a flat fee and, when his client terminated the representation, initially failed to refund any portion of the flat fee. Because of Respondent’s incorrect belief that flat fees were earned upon receipt, over a ten-year period, Respondent deposited unearned flat fees directly into his operating account without obtaining his clients’ informed consent, confirmed in writing.

Santiago Ricardo NARVAIZ, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on February 23, 2021, effective sixty days from the date of the Court’s Order, with the right to petition for reinstatement after ninety days, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to take steps to protect his client’s interest upon termination of the representation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent failed to deposit a client’s funds into an attorney trust account and instead deposited the funds into his personal money market account and, after the client terminated Respondent’s representation and repeatedly requested that Respondent provide her with an invoice and return any unearned fees, Respondent still failed to produce either a refund or an accounting. Bar Counsel’s investigation revealed that Respondent routinely used his attorney trust account to pay personal expenses, made cash withdrawals, and commingled personal funds with client funds when he failed to withdraw earned fees. The
investigation also revealed that Respondent failed to create and maintain the necessary client matter records and monthly reconciliations for his attorney trust account.

Russell A. NEVERDON Sr. – Suspension for six months on May 28, 2021, effective June 27, 2021, for failing to represent his clients competently and diligently, failing to abide by the scope of representation, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, failing to identify a conflict of interest, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to promptly deliver funds that a third party was entitled to receive, failing to withdraw from representing his clients when continued representation would result in violation of the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct, failing to properly supervise a non-attorney assistant, assisting another in engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent failed to take necessary and basic steps to pursue his clients’ personal injury and estate matter and did not keep his clients reasonably informed about the status of their case or provide information that would assist them in making informed decisions.
Respondent also failed to recognize and advise his clients of a conflict of interest and failed to attempt to obtain his clients’ informed consent, confirmed in writing, to continue with the representation. In addition, Respondent failed to adequately supervise his paralegal.

Caroline-County-Courthouse. THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY photo

George Carlos Nier wiped out hundreds of thousands from client’s estate for great-grandchildren’s trust leaving them with nothing

George C. Nier October 11, 1944 ~ November 30, 2020 (age 76)
  • COUNTY ATTORNEY of Caroline County in 1998
  • Appointed by County Commissioners:
  • George C. Nier, Esq., County Attorney

George Carlos NIER, – Disbarment by Consent on September 2, 2020, effective September 30, 2020, for committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. In an estate matter, as successor personal representative and sole trustee of trusts established for two of the decedent’s great-grandchildren, Respondent misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars from both trusts and left each with a balance of zero. Nier died on November 30, 2020. His office building was sold in 2021.

engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation

Ginikanwa Chinaemerem OKEDI, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on November 16, 2020, effective December 16, 2020, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to maintain candor to the tribunal, failing to maintain fairness to opposing party and counsel, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, assisting another in engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, making false or misleading communications about his legal services, misusing a firm’s name or letterhead, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
Respondent shared an office for the practice of law in Maryland with an individual who was not licensed to practice law in Maryland. After moving the office to the District of Columbia, where neither was licensed, Respondent continued to assist his officemate in the unauthorized practice of law and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in the District of Columbia himself over a period of four years. Respondent also operated his law practice without an attorney trust account and improperly deposited funds belonging to clients and third parties in his operating account.

Nishith PATEL, – Reprimand by Consent on May 14, 2021, for failing to adequately communicate with his clients, failing to recognize a conflict of interest, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent represented three clients with co-counsel and subsequently represented the same three clients in connection with a fee dispute matter that arose between the clients and Respondent’s former co-counsel and that was based on the underlying litigation. Respondent also disbursed a portion of his clients’ settlement funds to his law firm as a reimbursement for expenses that he had not yet paid.

Alisha Ann PORTILLO, – Disbarred on March 26, 2021, effective immediately, for failing to represent her clients competently, failing to adequately communicate with her clients, failing to maintain candor to the tribunal, knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent improperly advised two clients to fail to appear for their immigration hearings, which resulted in the immigration court issuing orders for both clients’ removal from the United States. Respondent also made knowing and intentional false statements to the immigration court and to Bar Counsel and failed to participate in the attorney grievance proceeding.

Troy Alfred-Wiley PRIEST, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on April 22, 2021, for failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, failing to comply with attorney trust account record-keeping requirements, and commingling funds. Respondent regularly deposited earned fees into his firm’s attorney trust account and failed to adequately maintain records associated with the account.

Jonathan Steven RESNICK, – Disbarred by Consent on March 11, 2021, for failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, engaging in misconduct prohibited by Rule 19-308.4, and failing to comply with attorney trust account recordkeeping and prohibited transaction requirements. Respondent failed to maintain proper trust account records, engaged in prohibited attorney trust account transactions, and failed to comply with Bar Counsel’s lawful demands for information during multiple investigations.

John T. RIELY, – Indefinite Suspension on November 25, 2020, effective December 25, 2020, with the right to petition for reinstatement no sooner than one year, for failing to represent his clients competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, failing to take steps to protect his clients’ interest upon termination of his representation, knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law to a third person, knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent, an experienced immigration attorney, failed to appear on behalf of an immigrant couple at status hearings in immigration court, failed to file a visa extension application on a timely basis on behalf of another client, and made misleading statements to a client, an immigration enforcement agent, and Bar Counsel to conceal some aspects of his failure to represent that client competently and diligently.

Artemio RIVERA, – Disbarment by Consent on October 30, 2020, effective immediately, for committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent was convicted by a jury on four counts of wire fraud.

Brian David SADUR, – Indefinite Suspension on March 5, 2021, effective immediately, with the right to petition for reinstatement after one year, for failing to adequately communicate with his clients, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, and failing to comply with the affirmative duties of suspended attorneys.
Respondent failed to timely notify his clients and opposing counsels of his previous suspension; failed to timely withdraw his appearance from open client matters; and failed to provide information to Bar Counsel. Respondent engaged in the unauthorized practice of law following his previous suspension in three separate client matters.

Wendy L. SATIN, – Commission Reprimand on December 24, 2020, for failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to report another attorney’s professional misconduct, commingling of funds, and disbursing funds from an attorney trust account when the disbursement created a negative balance with respect to an individual client matter or all client matters in the aggregate. During a five-year period, Respondent failed to promptly withdraw earned fees from her firm’s attorney trust account and made cash withdrawals on the occasions when she did withdraw earned fees. Respondent also failed to timely inform the Attorney Grievance Commission of her law partner’s condition that raised substantial questions as to his fitness as an attorney.

Nema SAYADIAN, – Commission Reprimand on March 24, 2021, for failing to abide by the scope of the representation, failing to represent his client diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his client, and knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel. Respondent failed to properly inform a client with diminished capacity that her claim may be barred by the statute of limitations. Respondent filed suit on behalf of his client after the expiration of the statute of limitations and failed to serve the defendants.

James L. SCOTT, – Commission Reprimand on December 21, 2020, for failing to represent his
clients competently and diligently. Respondent failed to enter his appearance on behalf of seven
clients in post-conviction proceedings paneled to him by the Office of the Public Defender. As a
result of Respondent’s failure to enter his appearance, in at least one instance, Respondent did not
appear at his client’s post-conviction hearing, necessitating an attorney with the Office of the
Public Defender to appear instead and request a continuance.

allowed his spouse to access and misappropriate funds from his attorney trust account

Jason W. SHOEMAKER, – Disbarment by Consent on September 21, 2020, effective December 1, 2020, for failing to represent his clients competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, representing clients involving a conflict of interest, failing to safekeep his clients’ funds in his attorney trust account, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Over a four-year period, Respondent failed to adequately manage his attorney trust account when he failed to deposit client funds therein, maintained negative client ledger balances, and commingled personal funds with trust funds. Respondent also allowed his spouse to access and misappropriate funds from his attorney trust account and failed to take remedial measures for approximately five months. In addition, Respondent failed to recognize a conflict of interest when he represented co-defendants in an unrelated criminal matter.

Timothy Guy SMITH, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on November 12, 2020, effective December 31, 2020, for failing to adequately communicate with his client, failing to recognize conflicts of interest, entering into business transactions with a current client without obtaining the client’s informed consent, failing to uphold his duty to a former client, knowingly making a false statement of material fact or law, and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation. Respondent provided legal and business advice to his client and made numerous loans to his client to help fund his client’s business without advising his client to seek independent legal advice. Later, Respondent represented his own company in litigation filed against his former client’s company without his former client’s informed consent. Respondent also sent a pretextual email to his former client’s company to gather financial information he needed for litigation against his former client.

Super-Lawyers-featured-Snyder

Stephen Lawrence SNYDER, – Temporary Suspension by Consent on October 23, 2020, effective March 31, 2021, pending the resolution of the criminal charges against Respondent in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.

Baltimore Attorney Facing Federal Indictment for Attempted Extortion

Allegedly Sought to Extort $25 Million For Himself—Not his Clients—from University of Maryland Medical System; Allegedly Proposed Sham Consulting Arrangement to Disguise Payment

Baltimore, Maryland – A federal grand jury has indicted Stephen L. Snyder, age 72, of Miami Beach, Florida, on the federal charges of attempted extortion and interstate travel and use of an interstate facility to carry on unlawful activity, also known as the Travel Act.  Snyder was the senior partner at a Baltimore-based law firm specializing in plaintiff-side medical malpractice litigation.

The indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur and Special Agent in Charge Jennifer C. Boone of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office.

According to the eight-count indictment, between January and October 2018, Snyder attempted to obtain $25 million from the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) for himself, separate and apart from any claim by one of his clients, by using threats of economic and reputational harm to UMMS and its organ transplant program.  Specifically, the indictment alleges that Snyder threatened that if UMMS did not pay him $25 million, Snyder would launch a public relations campaign against UMMS that alleged, among other things, that UMMS transplanted diseased organs into unsophisticated patients without informing them of the quality of the organs they were receiving in order to generate revenue.  According to the indictment, Snyder told UMMS officials that the campaign would include: a front-page article in the Baltimore Sun; other national news stories; a press conference; advertisements on the Internet, including one that would run every time someone accessed the UMMS transplant site; and at least two videos Snyder produced and would air if his demand for a $25 million payment were not met.

Snyder allegedly demanded that UMMS disguise the $25 million payment as a sham consulting arrangement between Snyder and UMMS.  Snyder also allegedly threatened that a lawyer (Lawyer 1) working for the insurance program insuring UMMS and its faculty physician groups would lose her job and threatened to harm the professional reputation of a UMMS doctor (Doctor 1) if they did not aid Snyder in obtaining the $25 million payment.

As detailed in the indictment, Snyder represented the spouse of a transplant patient who had died (Client 2).  During a settlement conference that included the lawyer and doctor mentioned above, Snyder demanded a $25 million settlement for his client.  In a later meeting, Snyder allegedly told UMMS representatives, including Lawyer 1 and Doctor 1, that the Client 2 case was “not worth that much money” and that Client 2’s case was worth between $3 and $5 million.  Snyder confirmed several times that the $25 million would be a payment made just to him and would be in addition to the payment made to Client 2’s spouse to settle her case.  When asked what he could do for $25 million, he told the UMMS representatives that he didn’t know, didn’t care, and could be “a janitor” at UMMS. 

During both meetings, Snyder allegedly played videos that he had produced and said he would air if his demands were not met.  The first video claimed that UMMS did not tell patients that organs UMMS transplanted were bad organs or that they accepted organs that other institutions rejected. The commercial said that Client 2 was told by the surgeon that transplanted his kidney that the surgeon would have transplanted the same organ into his own wife but wasn’t told that 250 other institutions had rejected the same kidney.  The video showed images of Client 2 with necrotic fingertips and an amputated leg.  The second video started with the words, in red, “PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT” as well as an alert sound associated with emergency alerts.  It then showed a text that Doctor 1 had sent Snyder on April 20, 2018, that read: “Sue and I just spoke.  She understands on hook for fraud and punitive damages.  Ball is in your court.”  The video then showed pictures of several doctors which the video claimed had left UMMS or had been demoted and were no longer performing surgery.  Doctor 1 was pictured with the words: “DEMOTED NO LONGER DOING SURGERY – relegated to executive work” next to his picture.  After UMMS representatives advised Snyder that the video contained inaccuracies, such as the fact that the doctor had not been demoted and was still performing surgeries, Snyder responded, “then I’m wrong.”

George Henry SPANGLER, – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on May 7, 2021, for failing to represent his clients competently and diligently, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent maintained a large sum of client and third-party funds in his attorney trust account when he closed his law practice and, after initially employing an individual to attempt to reconcile his account, later failed to undertake any effort to reconcile his account or disburse funds owed to clients and third parties for a period of seven years. Respondent routinely deposited personal funds in his attorney trust account to correct deficiencies, commingled trust funds with personal funds by failing to promptly withdraw unearned fees, and deposited estate funds in his attorney trust account.

Why is this guy only suspended a second time?

Samuel SPERLING, – Suspension for 120 days on March 1, 2021, effective March 31, 2021, for failing to represent his clients competently and diligently, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent demonstrated a lack of competence, diligence, and communication in several instances while representing two clients as plaintiffs in the same motor vehicle tort case. After receiving a deferral of dismissal of his clients’ lawsuit, Respondent failed to take further steps to locate a service
address for the defendant, leading to the dismissal of the case without prejudice. Respondent did not tell his clients that he had not served the defendant and that, as a result, the case was dismissed. In addition, Respondent failed to convey a settlement offer to his clients and failed to transmit one client’s medical records to the defendant’s insurer, which the insurer had asked to review for the purpose of evaluating settlement.

Lisa Joi STANCIL, – Commission Reprimand on April 26, 2021, for failing to provide competent and diligent representation by failing to adequately account for funds in her attorney trust account. In a personal injury matter, the Respondent failed to promptly remit payment to third-party medical providers despite maintaining the funds in her attorney trust account.

Craig W STEWART – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on April 7, 2021, for failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice, and disbursing funds from an attorney trust account when the disbursement created a negative balance with respect to an individual client matter or all client matters in the aggregate.
Respondent’s firm’s attorney trust account was overdrawn twice. Respondent routinely failed to deposit and maintain unearned fees in an attorney trust account and instead deposited the funds directly into his operating account. Respondent also used the operating account to make payments to third parties.

Barry M TAPP – Commission Reprimand on December 21, 2020, for failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account and failing to comply with attorney trust account record-keeping and prohibited transaction requirements. Respondent failed to establish appropriate record-keeping systems, and his attorney trust account was overdrawn. Respondent also made cash withdrawals from his attorney trust account and regularly commingled funds by depositing payments from Chapter 13 Trustees into his attorney trust account.

Jack Ryan TERZIU, – Commission Reprimand on September 9, 2020, for failing to recognize conflicts of interest. For approximately three years, Respondent represented clients as a sole practitioner where his representation involved a conflict of interest with his former firm’s clients.
The conflicts included representing clients who were directly adverse to a firm client and where there was a significant risk that Respondent’s representation of his client would be materially limited by his responsibilities, through the firm, to another client.

Immigration attorney threw his clients under the bus

Angel Arturo VILADEGUT, – Disbarred on March 1, 2021, effective immediately, for failing to represent his clients competently and diligently, failing to abide by the scope of representation, failing to adequately communicate with his clients, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to take steps to protect his clients’ interests upon termination of the representation, failing to maintain candor to the tribunal, knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent represented numerous clients in immigration matters and made knowing and intentional misrepresentations to tribunals, his clients, and his clients’ family members regarding the representation. Respondent accepted fees he did not earn. Respondent later failed to return unearned fees, abandoned his clients, and failed to respond to Bar Counsel’s investigations regarding his clients’ complaints.

Marc WERTHEIMER, – Commission Reprimand on August 29, 2020, for failing to recognize that his representation of one client was directly adverse to the interests of other clients in violation of the prohibition against conflicts of interest. Respondent represented an estate in probate proceedings while representing the decedent’s former business partners who had claims against the estate based, in part, upon written agreements drafted by the Respondent and previously executed by the decedent and his partners.

John Xander YI, – Disbarred on August 21, 2020, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to abide by the scope of representation, failing to adequately communicate with his client, collecting unreasonable fees, failing to reasonably communicate his fees to his client, failing to take steps to protect his client’s interest upon termination of his representation, failing to maintain accurate records concerning his firm’s trust account, failing to promptly deliver to his client funds to which his client was entitled, knowingly making false statements of material
fact, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. As a relatively new attorney without significant criminal law experience, Respondent agreed to represent an immigrant charged with serious drug offenses that could have resulted in imprisonment and affected her immigration status, failed to communicate adequately with his client, failed to diligently analyze the discovery provided by the prosecution and prepare adequately the defense of the charges, mishandled his
client’s fee payment, mismanaged his firm’s attorney trust account, and made misrepresentations and otherwise failed to adequately respond to Bar Counsel’s requests for information.

Celio Warren YOUNG, – Disbarred on March 31, 2021, for failing to represent his client competently and diligently, failing to abide by the scope of representation, failing to adequately communicate with his client, collecting unreasonable fees, entering into business transactions with a current client without obtaining the client’s informed consent, failing to safekeep funds in an attorney trust account, failing to take steps to protect his client’s interest upon termination of the representation, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, directly soliciting employment from
a prospective client for his own pecuniary gain, knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel, committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on his honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as an attorney, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation, and engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. Respondent made intentional misrepresentations to his client about the status of his case; failed to advise his client, in writing, to seek independent legal counsel before entering into a settlement agreement with Respondent on the client’s legal malpractice claim against him; failed to use funds to negotiate lower medical expenses for his client as agreed upon in a settlement agreement; and failed to respond to numerous requests for information from Bar Counsel.

Lied to become a lawyer so he could get paid to lie

Tristan Doyle YOUNG, – Disbarred by Consent on December 21, 2020, effective immediately, for knowingly making false statements to Bar Counsel and knowingly failing to respond to Bar Counsel. Respondent submitted his Application to the Maryland Bar and was admitted to the Maryland Bar under false pretenses as Respondent intentionally failed to disclose numerous prior serious transgressions because he believed their disclosure would prevent his admission to the Maryland Bar.

The client had to resort to posting negative review on the law firm’s Facebook page to get any response

Cory Lev ZAJDEL, – Commission Reprimand on March 10, 2021, for failing to adequately communicate with his client and failing to include the name of at least one attorney responsible for advertising communications’ content on advertising materials. After signing an online retainer agreement, Respondent’s client did not receive any further information or updates regarding his case, and Respondent and his client attempted to communicate via an exchange of public Facebook posts after the client posted a negative online review. In addition, while Respondent’s firm’s
Facebook page disclosed Respondent’s identity and included a link to his personal Facebook page, the firm’s website did not include the name of any attorney responsible for its content.

  • Bull Shark from Potomac in 2010 Buzzs Marina

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