|
|
|
|
Home
Professional Regulation
Member Resources
Public Resourcces
Pro Bono /Access to
Legal Services
News and Information
Meetings
and Events
About the Bar
|
Disciplinary Actions Taken by the
Virginia State Bar
July
2001–December 2001
December
21, 2001
William Elliott Moorman, III, P. O. Box 57, Gloucester,
VA 23061
VSB Docket No. 01-061-0641
On December 20, 2001, the Virginia State Bar imposed
an 18 month suspension on William Elliott Moorman,
III. A complaint was lodged against Mr. Moorman following
an appearance in court on behalf of a client, wherein
Mr. Moorman's impaired handling of the case and demeanor
indicated he was intoxicated. In addition to his appearance
in court after he had been drinking, the complainants
noted there were at least two legal matters involving
Mr. Moorman which had arisen as a result of his drinking.
The Disciplinary Board accepted an agreed disposition
settling the matter on December 20, 2001. In addition
to the 18 month suspension, Mr. Moorman agreed to
several other terms, including three years of monitoring
by the Virginia State Bar following the end of his
suspension, and a letter of apology to Judge R. Bruce
Long.
go
to opinion
December
21, 2001
George Albert Bates, P.O. Box 562, Keswick, VA 22947
VSB Docket No. 98-070-2706
On December 15, 2001, pursuant to an agreed disposition,
the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended
George Albert Bates's license to practice law in the
Commonwealth of Virginia for ninety (90) days. Mr.
Bates held himself out to be an attorney-at-law to
opposing counsel while he was administratively suspended.
go
to opinion
December
19, 2001
Franklin Peter Slavin, Jr., 525 West Main
Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382-2208
VSB Docket No. 01-101-1358
On December 18, 2001, Tenth District Subcommittee,
Section I, issued a Public Reprimand to attorney Franklin
Peter Slavin, Jr. The subcommittee found that Mr.
Slavin had a conflict of interest in representing
a client against a neighbor while at the same time
representing the neighbor in an unrelated matter.
The Public Reprimand was imposed pursuant to an agreed
disposition.
go
to opinion
December
19, 2001
Michael Denis Kmetz, Jones, Kmetz & Malone,
P.C., 1218 SunTrust Center, 500 East Main Street,
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
VSB Docket Nos. 00-021-1276, 00-021-1782 and
00-021-1013
On December 14, 2001, the Disciplinary Board of the
Virginia State Bar issued an admonition to attorney
Michael Denis Kmetz.
The board found that Mr. Kmetz failed to respond to
his client's inquiries from June 16, 1999 to October
27, 1999, regarding a federal appeal. The client contacted
Mr. Kmetz's office on six different occasions to request
information about the appeal, but Mr. Kmetz did not
reply and thus failed to keep his client reasonably
informed about his case. The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board found that the alleged violations in VSB Docket
Nos. 00-021-1782 and 00-021-1013 were not proven by
clear and convincing evidence.
go
to opinion
December
18, 2001
Stephen Gary Merrill, Ghent Law Offices, 2019
Llewellyn Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23517-2234
VSB Docket No. 97-022-3110
On November 15, 2001, the Supreme Court of Virginia
dismissed an appeal by Stephen Gary Merrill of a private
reprimand imposed by the Second District Committee,
Section II. The district committee found Mr. Merrill
filed a suit and took other actions in a bankruptcy
matter when it was obvious such actions would serve
merely to harass or maliciously injure another. Mr.
Merrill appealed that finding to the Virginia State
Bar Disciplinary Board, which affirmed the district
committee.
December
18, 2001*
Robert
A. Blount, 23 Cherbourg Drive, Newport News, Virginia
23606
VSB Docket No. 01-000-1208
On December 14, 2001, after a full evidentiary hearing,
the Disciplinary Board recommended that the Supreme
Court of Virginia deny Robert A. Blount's petition
to reinstate his license to practice law in the Commonwealth
of Virginia.
*The
Virginia Supreme Court denied the motion for reinstatement
effective April 4, 2002.
go
to opinion
December
12, 2001
William
Madison McClenny, P.O. Box 1660, Louisa, VA 23093-1660
VSB
Docket No. 01-070-0403
On December 5, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Seventh
District Subcommittee issued a public reprimand with
terms to William Madison McClenny for failing to competently
represent his client in the appeal of a criminal conviction.
Mr. McClenny noted his client's appeal but did not
file the transcript of the trial within the time prescribed
by the Rules of the Virginia Supreme Court. He also
did not respond to an order from the court of appeals
to show cause why the appeal should not be dismissed.
As a result, the appeal was dismissed.
go
to opinion
December
7, 2001
Kenneth Harrison Fails, II, Suite 920, 1850
M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
VSB
Docket No. 01-042-1310
On December 3, 2001, pursuant to an agreed disposition,
a subcommittee of the Fourth District-Section II Committee
of the Virginia State Bar imposed a public reprimand
upon Kenneth Harrison Fails, II. The subcommittee
found that Mr. Fails did not competently represent
his client in enforcing a settlement between the client
and a home improvement contractor. The subcommittee
determined that Mr. Fails was not diligent in handling
the matter, intentionally failed to carry out his
contract of employment with the client, and failed
to keep his client reasonably informed about the status
of the case.
go
to opinion
December
7, 2001
Joseph
Rocco Caprio, Box G, West Point, Virginia 23181-1015
VSB
Docket No. 01-062-0289
On November 28, 2001, a subcommittee of the Virginia
State Bar Sixth District Committee issued a public
reprimand with terms to Joseph Rocco Caprio.
The action was pursuant
to an agreed disposition. The subcommittee found that
Mr. Caprio did not competently represent his client
in a worker's compensation matter. He withdrew his
client's claim for benefits and did not re-file it
within the two year statute of limitations. As a result,
the client lost his benefits.
go
to opinion
November
30, 2001*
Henry
Thompson Tucker, Jr., 120 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore,
MD 21202-1643
VSB
Docket #02-000-0608
On
November 29, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board summarily suspended Henry Thompson Tucker, Jr.'s
license to practice law. The board's action was based
on Mr. Tucker's November 9, 2001, convictions in the
United States District Court, Eastern District of
Virginia, Richmond Division for aiding and abetting
wire fraud and aiding and abetting money laundering.
The convictions resulted from facts involving a loss
of $273,682.45 by Southern Retailers, Inc.
*On
December 14, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board revoked the license of Henry Thompson Tucker,
Jr. to practice law in the Commonwealth of Virginia
upon a rule to show cause. On November 30, 2001, the
Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board issued the rule
and summarily suspended Mr. Tucker's license to practice
law in the Commonwealth of Virginia based upon his
November 9, 2001, convictions in the United States
District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond
Division for aiding and abetting wire fraud and aiding
and abetting money laundering. The convictions resulted
from facts involving a loss of $273,682.45 by Southern
Retailers, Inc.
November
30, 2001
Joel
Steinberg, 2121 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 603, Alexandria,
VA 22314
Virginia
State Bar Docket Numbers 00-051-2095, 00-051-2114,
00-051-2744, 00-051-3305, 01-051-0755, 01-051-1004,
01-051-2002, 01-051-2461, 01-051-2700, 02-051-1110,
02-051-1276, 02-051-1398, 02-051-1412
Joel Steinberg
petitioned the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board
to surrender his license to practice law in Virginia.
The Board accepted the petition and revoked his license
to practice law on November 30, 2001. At the time Mr.
Steinberg surrendered his license to practice law, a
receiver had been appointed to take over his law practice
and he had been indicted by a federal grand jury on
one count of embezzlement from a bankrupt estate, one
count of bankruptcy fraud, and one count of wire fraud.
There were also a number of bar complaints against Mr.
Steinberg, alleging, among other things, that Mr. Steinberg
had taken client trust funds which did not belong to
him, failed to pay over funds in a timely manner as
ordered by a bankruptcy court, failed to keep proper
records of client funds as required by the Virginia
Code of Professional Responsibility and the Virginia
Rules of Professional Conduct, and neglected client
matters.
November
30, 2001
James
W. Fourqurean, 4103 Chain Bridge Rd., Suite 400, Fairfax,
VA 22030
Virginia
State Bar Docket Number 02-052-0660
James W.
Fourqurean petitioned the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board to surrender his license to practice law in
Virginia. The Board accepted the petition and revoked
his license on November 30, 2001. At the time he surrendered
his license to practice law, a bar complaint had been
filed against Mr. Fourqurean and the matter was being
investigated.
November
27, 2001
Alan
Gordon Warner, 2175 Hauhikoa Road, Haiku, Hawaii 96708-5871
VSB
Docket No. 02-033-0093
On November
17, 2001, the Third District Committee, Section III,
imposed a public reprimand with terms on Alan Gordon
Warner. The action was pursuant to an agreed disposition.
Mr. Warner is an associate member of the Virginia
State Bar, as well as a member of the Kansas State
Bar and the Hawaii State Bar. The Supreme Court of
Kansas censured Mr. Warner for representing that he
would reimburse a witness's travel expenses and then
refusing to do so, and ordered him to reimburse the
witness. The Supreme Court of Hawaii took reciprocal
action, and the Third District Committee followed
suit by publically reprimanding Mr. Warner and requiring
him to certify in writing that he has reimbursed the
witness's travel expenses.
go
to opinion
November
20, 2001
Richard
Howard Laibstain, Suite A, 10981 Richardson Road,
Ashland, VA 23005
VSB
Docket No. 01-061-0890
On November
14, 2001, the Virginia State Bar revoked Richard Howard
Laibstain's license to practice law for misappropriating
client funds from his firm's trust account. Mr. Laibstain
admitted that he stole more than $60,000 from the
account between November 1998 and October 2000, and
destroyed account records. Once the shortage was discovered,
he borrowed $60,000 from a client and deposited it
in the account. He indicated that he took the money
for personal and family needs with the intention of
replacing it.
go
to opinion
November
19, 2001*
Bridgette
Miriam Harris, Suite 303, 7603 Georgia Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20012
VSB
Docket No. 02-111-1316
The Virginia
State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended Bridgette Miriam
Harris's license to practice law in the Commonwealth
of Virginia effective November 15, 2001. On June 3,
1999, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern
District of Virginia at Alexandria, entered an order
permanently barring Ms. Harris, also known as Bridgette
M. Harris-Smith, from practicing before that court.
Ms. Harris was ordered to appear before the Disciplinary
Board on December 14, 2001, to show cause why her
license to practice law within the Commonwealth of
Virginia should not be further suspended or revoked.
*The
Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Bridgette
Miriam Harris's license to practice law in Virginia
effective December 14, 2001.
go
to opinion
November
16, 2001*
Edward
Delk, 2727 Holly Point Boulevard, Chesapeake, Virginia
23325
VSB
Docket No. 01-000-0920
On
November 16, 2001, a panel of the Virginia State Bar
Disciplinary Board voted unanimously to recommend
denial of Edward Delk's petition for reinstatement
of his license to practice law. Mr. Delk surrendered
his law license 1989 for failing to safeguard client
funds in his trust account and improper trust account
recordkeeping. He previously received a three year
suspension from the board for similar conduct and
was appealing that suspension when the new improprieties
came to light and resulted in a federal felony criminal
conviction. The Supreme Court of Virginia will review
the matter and make the final determination regarding
Mr. Delk's reinstatement petition.
*On
March 1, 2002, the Virginia Supreme Court denied the
petition for reinstatement.
go
to opinion
November
16, 2001*
William
J. Dougherty, P. O. Box 2008, Newport News, VA 23609-0008
VSB
Docket No. 02-000-1411
On
November 16, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board summarily suspended William J. Dougherty, Jr.'s
license to practice law. On October 5, 2001, Mr. Dougherty
was convicted in the United States District Court,
Eastern District of Virginia, of aiding and abetting
the filing of a false tax return, in violation of
26 U.S.C. 7206(2), a felony. Accordingly, the Virginia
State Bar Disciplinary Board has summarily suspended
his license to practice law in Virginia. A hearing
to determine whether his license should be further
suspended or revoked is scheduled for December 14,
2001 in Richmond.
go
to opinion
*On
February 18, 2004, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board revoked William J. Dougherty’s license
to practice law in Virginia.
go
to opinion (posted 2/20/04)
November
16, 2001
Oscar
de Leon Noblejas, P.O. Box 10856, Burke, VA 22009-0856
VSB
Docket No. 01-052-0781
On
November 16, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board issued a public reprimand with terms to Oscar
de Leon Noblejas. In 1996, Mr. Noblejas was hired
by three clients who had suffered personal injuries
in a automobile accident. He and his clients co-executed
assignment and authorization agreements for the medical
services provided to the clients by their treating
physician. When the cases were settled, Mr. Noblejas
did not pay the medical bills in accordance with the
agreements.
go
to opinion
November
15, 2001
Michael
Willis Cullinan Harris, Suite
500B, 3108 North Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia 23294
VSB
Docket Nos. 01-032-0041, 01-032-0042, 01-032-0605,
01-032-1084
On
November 15, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board indefinitely suspended Michael Willis Cullinan
Harris's law license due to a disability. This was
an agreed disposition of four misconduct cases against
Mr. Harris. The board also found disciplinary rule
violations in each of the cases. If the disability
suspension were ever lifted, the violations may result
in further proceedings and sanctions.
go
to opinion
November
8, 2001
Charles
Ivey Billman, 1817 North Quesada Street, Arlington,
Virginia
VSB
Docket No. 00-041-0035
On November 6, 2001, pursuant to an agreed
disposition, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board
suspended Charles Ivey Billman's license to practice
law for six months and directed him to refund $2,500
in legal fees. The board found that Mr. Billman was
paid $5,000 to represent a prisoner in a habeas case.
Mr. Billman gave $1,000 of the fee to another prisoner
for referring the client to him and for promising
to do legal research and draft a motion. The board
also found that Mr. Billman was not initially forthright
with his client about his arrangement with the other
prisoner and did not record the time he spent on the
case.
go
to opinion
October
31, 2001*
Robert Brown Patterson, P.O. Box 2051, Middleburg,
Virginia 20118
VSB Docket Nos. 00-070-0532, 00-070-2906 and 00-070-2737
On
October 26, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board issued a public reprimand to Robert Brown Patterson
for failing to obey orders of two federal courts.
The board found that he did not timely pay a sanction
imposed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for
the Eastern District of Virginia and did not comply
with a discovery order in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Furthermore,
the board found that Mr. Patterson 1) did not seek
lawful objectives of his client, 2) did not carry
out his contract of employment with his client, and
3) prejudiced his client in the course of the professional
relationship.
*
The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board found no violations
in VSB Docket No. 00-070-2737.
go
to opinion
October
31, 2001
Charles Jefferson McCall, 13709 Harbourwood Road,
Midlothian, Virginia 23112
VSB Docket Nos. 97-033-1757, 97-033-1987 and 01-033-1115
For the second time in sixty days, the Virginia State
Bar Disciplinary Board sanctioned Charles Jefferson
McCall for not complying with an order of the board.
On October 26, 2001, the board added thirty days to
a thirteen month and one day suspension imposed on
August 27, 2001. The August suspension resulted from
Mr. McCall's failure to comply with terms associated
with a public reprimand for neglecting client matters,
failing to communicate about client matters, and committing
multiple trust account violations. The August order
required Mr. McCall to petition a court to determine
the appropriate disposition of $3,640.41 in trust
funds. It also required that by September 26, 2001,
he provide bar counsel a copy of the petition and
proof that he tendered the money to the court. Mr.
McCall filed the petition but did not submit a copy
of the petition and requisite proof to bar counsel
in a timely manner.
go
to opinion
October
31, 2001
Charles
Edward Ayers, Jr., 710 North Hamilton Street, Richmond,
Virginia 23221-2035
VSB
Docket No. 94-032-0554
On October
24, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board
issued a public reprimand with terms effective November
20, 2001, to Charles Edward Ayers, Jr. based upon
an agreed disposition.
In accepting the agreement, the board found that Mr.
Ayers had engaged in conflicts of interest with clients
by participating in business transactions in which
his own personal and business interests were in conflict
with, and differed from, the interests of his clients.
The board also found that certain funds had not been
properly handled.
go
to opinion
go
to agreed disposition
October
26, 2001
Steven Paul Hanna, Suite 116, 2025 East Main Street,
Richmond, Virginia 23223-7069
VSB Docket No. 01-032-1083
On
September 14, 2001, the Third District Committee,
Section II publicly reprimanded Steven Paul Hanna.
In 1997, Mr. Hanna was hired to seek expungement of
his client's criminal record. He took no action on
the expungement until a bar complaint was filed three
years later and never completed the representation.
The committee found that he violated the disciplinary
rules by not handling the matter promptly and diligently,
by not keeping his client informed, and by not properly
terminating the representation. The committee also
found that he did not properly safeguard his client's
retainer by depositing it in an escrow account.
go
to opinion
October
26, 2001
Charles
D. Chambliss, Jr., 21st Center, Suite 207,
2025 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23223.
VSB
Docket Nos. 99-033-1982, 99-033-2199, 00-033-1650
and 00-033-2036
On
October 6, 2001, pursuant to an agreed disposition,
the Disciplinary Board issued a public reprimand with
terms to Mr. Chambliss. The board found that Mr. Chambliss
failed to attend promptly to three client matters
and to keep the clients reasonably informed about
the matters; that he did not adequately explain his
fees to two clients; and that in a fourth matter conflicting
interests precluded him from representing two clients
in connection with loans one client made to the other.
The
terms provide that by October 24, 2001, Mr. Chambliss
will pay one client the amount she would have recovered
had he filed her personal injury lawsuit in a timely
manner; refund fees and costs a second client paid
in connection with a divorce proceeding; pay two years
of accrued interest on loans one client made to another;
and refund the fees another client paid him in a collection
action. In addition, if Mr. Chambliss continues in
the general practice of law and maintains a law office
after January 1, 2001, he must arrange for a Virginia
State Bar Risk Manager to audit his law office and
practice by June 30, 2002.
If
Mr. Chambliss fails to comply with any of the terms,
he will be suspended from the practice of law for
one year.
go
to opinion
October
23, 2001
John Lydon McGann, Suite 206, 4101 Chain Bridge Road,
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
VSB Docket No. 98-041-0972
On
September 18, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board upheld a Public Reprimand with Terms issued
to John Lydon McGann by the Fourth District Committee,
Section I. The Board found that Mr. McGann represented
five criminal co-defendants under circumstances that
presented a conflict of interest. The Board also found
that Mr. McGann failed to attend promptly to his clients'
cases and that he failed to keep his clients reasonably
informed about matters related to his representation.
Under the terms of the reprimand, Mr. McGann is required
to attend continuing legal education courses in the
fields of criminal defense and legal ethics.
go
to opinion
October
4, 2001
Patrick
DeWitt Killebrew, 9440 Stanmore Place, Richmond, Virginia
23236
VSB
Docket Number 00-000-1844
On September
21, 2001 the Virginia Supreme Court adopted the Disciplinary
Board's recommendation and entered an order reinstating
Patrick DeWitt Killebrew's license to practice law.
Mr. Killebrew surrendered his law license in 1992
after pleading guilty to felony possession of heroin.
go
to opinion
October
5, 2001
Robert Stanley Powell, 2200 Wilson Boulevard,
Suite 800, Arlington, VA 22201
VSB Docket No. 99-041-2484
Robert
Stanley Powell petitioned the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board to surrender his license to practice law in
Virginia with disciplinary charges pending. The Board
accepted the petition and revoked his license on September
28, 2001. At the time he surrendered his license to
practice law, Mr. Powell was charged by the Bar with
multiple acts of misappropriation, conversion, and/or
embezzlement of funds tendered to him, on behalf of
a client, as a fiduciary; failure to place his client's
personal property in a place of safekeeping; failure
to deliver items of personal property consistent with
his client's instructions; and failure to maintain
his trust account and related records in the manner
required by the Virginia Code of Professional Responsibility.
October
4, 2001
Salvage DeLacy Stith, 3604 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth,
Virginia 23703
VSB Docket No. 00-000-2051
On
October 2, 2001, the Supreme Court of Virginia denied
Salvage DeLacy Stith's petition for reinstatement
of his license to practice law. The Virginia State
Bar Disciplinary Board revoked Mr. Stith's license
in 1994 for improper recordkeeping resulting in overdrafts
on his trust account and neglect of client legal matters.
go
to opinion
go
to dissent
October
4, 2001
Gary
Alan Howard, 9705 Zimbro Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110-4272
VSB
Docket Number 01-000-0008
On September
21, 2001 the Virginia Supreme Court adopted the Disciplinary
Board's recommendation and entered an order reinstating
Gary Allen Howard's license to practice law. Mr. Howard
surrendered his law license with disciplinary charges
pending on June 21, 1999.
October
4, 2001
Lynn
Curtis Brownley, P.O. Box 2-H, Montross, Virginia
22520
VSB
Docket No. 00-000-2897
On October
2, 2001, the Supreme Court of Virginia adopted the
Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board's recommendation
and denied Lynn Curtis Brownley's petition for reinstatement
of his license to practice law. After being convicted
of felony possession of cocaine, Mr. Brownley surrendered
his license on April 4, 1989 with disciplinary charges
pending.
go
to opinion
October
3, 2001
Walter
Cornelius Whitt, Jr., F-1, 2524 George Washington
Hwy, Yorktown, Virginia 23693-3423
VSB
Docket Nos. 00-011-0904, 00-010-1226, 00-010-1649,
00-010-2506
00-010-2637, 01-010-1719, 01-010-2210, 01-010-2304
01-010-2309, 01-010-2310, 01-010-0012
On September
27, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board
suspended Walter Cornelius Whitt, Jr.'s license to
practice law for an indefinite period of time. The
Board found that Mr. Whitt suffered from a disability
that impaired his ability to practice law, in accordance
with an Agreed Disposition between Mr. Whitt and the
Virginia State Bar. The Board also found, in accordance
with the agreement, that Mr. Whitt committed professional
misconduct in eleven cases pending before the Board.
Specifically, the Board found that Mr. Whitt failed
to properly account for client funds, used client
funds for his own purposes, repeatedly failed to appear
in court, and failed to communicate with several clients
or diligently pursue their cases. Mr. Whitt may petition
for reinstatement of his license if he can prove that
he no longer suffers from a disability. At such time,
he will be subject to further disciplinary action
for the misconduct found.
go
to opinion
October
3, 2001
James
A. Winstead, 308 Mapleshore Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia
23320-6920
VSB
Docket No. 00-010-2935
On September
25, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board
suspended the law license of James A. Winstead, 308
Mapleshore Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320-6920
for one year, with all but thirty days of the sanction
suspended for a period of one year. The suspension,
which will begin on November 24, 2001, derived from
an Agreed Disposition between Mr. Winstead and the
Virginia State Bar. Mr. Winstead stipulated to charges
that he wrongfully failed to pursue a worker's compensation
matter, and failed to communicate with his client
about it. The Board considered Mr. Winstead's prior
disciplinary record in approving the agreed upon sanction.
go
to opinion
October
2, 2001
Jeffery
Martin Laub, 10615 Millet Seed Hill, Columbia, Maryland
21044
VSB
Docket No. 02-000-0194
On September
28, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board
revoked the law license of Jeffrey Martin Laub's license
to practice law. Previously, Mr. Laub pled guilty
in the United States District Court for the District
of Maryland to mail fraud in violation of Title18
U.S.C. Section 1341, Case No. DKC-01-0281. The basis
of the criminal charge and the Board's revocation
order was the conversion by Mr. Laub of monies paid
to his office as a collections attorney for New York
and New Jersey state agencies under the Guaranteed
Student Loan Program.
go
to opinion
October
2, 2001
Stephen
Gary Merrill, Ghent Law Offices, 2019 Llewellyn Avenue,
Norfolk, Virginia 23517-2234
VSB
Docket No. 00-022-3088
The Virginia
State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended Stephen Gary
Merrill's law license for 90 days. Previously, Mr.
Merrill pled guilty in the Isle of Wight General District
Court to possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
(less than _ ounce) in violation of Code of Virginia
section 18.2-248.1(a)(1). The basis of the criminal
charge and the Board's suspension order was Mr. Merrill's
cultivation of approximately 180 marijuana plants
on his property in Isle of Wight. The Board found
Mr. Merrill's conduct violated Disciplinary Rule 1-102
(A)(3) as a crime reflecting adversely on Mr. Merrill's
fitness to practice law. The effective date of the
suspension is November 1, 2001.
go
to opinion
October
1, 2001
Arthur
Charles Ermlich, Jr., Esq., Suite 103 , 2397 Court
Plaza Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
VSB Docket No. 01-000-1260
On September
28, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board
suspended Arthur Charles Ermlich, Jr.'s license to
practice law for a period of 30 days.
Mr. Ermlich
admitted that he failed to perfect a client's appeal
of a criminal conviction to the Virginia Court of
Appeals and that he failed to inform his client of
the appeal's status. The client learned his appeal
had been dismissed when he contacted a circuit court
clerk.
The Disciplinary
Board imposed the 30 day suspension after considering
Mr. Ermlich's prior disciplinary record, which showed
he had already been disciplined twice for failing
to perfect appeals and failing to inform clients of
their cases' status. The Board also considered evidence
that Mr. Ermlich was administratively suspended for
failure to pay disciplinary costs to the bar, failed
to appear for a district committee hearing on January
11, 2001, and failed to fulfill a previous disciplinary
term requiring continuing legal education course work.
go
to opinion
September
27, 2001*
Michael
Edwin Ford, 2408 Wanda Way, .Reston, Virginia 20191
VSB
Docket No. 02-000-0610
The Virginia
State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended the
law license of Michael Edwin Ford by Order
dated September 27, 2001. On August 22, 2001, Mr.
Ford pled guilty to a felony in violation of Title
18, United States Code, Sections 2 and 1028(a)(1),
(b)(1)(B), and (c)(3)(A), in the United States District
Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria
Division. Between June of 1999 and February 26, 2001,
in the Falls Church and Manassas Park, Virginia, Mr.
Ford worked with other individuals to prepare fraudulent
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) identity
affidavits for more than five aliens unlawfully present
in the United States. These aliens used the fraudulent
DMV forms Mr. Ford and his associates produced to
obtain Virginia driver's licenses and identification
documents to which the aliens were not legally entitled.
A hearing
will be held before the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board on October 26, 2001, to determine whether Mr.
Ford's law license should be further suspended or
revoked.
*Mr.
Ford surrended his license to practice law and it
was revoked on October 26, 2001.
September
26, 2001
Linda
Louise Immler, 362 Pecan Avenue, Fairhope, AL 36532
VSB
Docket Nos. 00-022-3278, 01-022-1089, 01-022-1993,
01-022-2754, 01-022-3364
Linda Louise
Immler surrendered her license to
practice law on September 20, 2001. She petitioned
the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board, and the
board revoked her license effective September 24,
2001. Disciplinary charges against Ms. Immler were
pending at the time she surrendered her license. Ms.
Immler was under investigation by the Bar regarding
several complaints that she failed to communicate
with her clients, failed to move cases forward and
take requested actions, and failed to refund unearned
legal fees.
September
6, 2001
Jeffrey Martin Laub, 19615 Millset Seed Hill,
Columbia, MD 21044
VSB Docket No. 02-000-0194
The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily
suspended the law license of Mr. Laub by order dated
September 4, 2001. Mr. Laub pled guilty in the United
States District Court for the District of Maryland
to mail fraud in violation of Title18 U.S.C. Section
1341, Case No. DKC-01-0281. A hearing will be held
before the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board on
Friday, September 28, 2001, to show cause why Mr.
Laub's license should not be further suspended or
revoked. The summary suspension order was entered
pursuant to the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia,
Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 13 (E).
September
6, 2001
Irvin William Cubine, II, 228 North Donnawood
Drive, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
VSB Docket No. 97-021-1218
On August 9, 2001, the Second District Committee,
Section I, issued a Public Reprimand to attorney
Irvin William Cubine, II, for his neglect of a real
estate closing. Mr. Cubine failed to provide an
original recorded deed of trust and the original
final title policy to the lender for over six months
after the closing occurred. These failures violated
disciplinary rules that require an attorney to act
with competence and promptness. Pursuant to an earlier
Agreed Disposition, Mr. Cubine had received lesser
discipline for the same violations, but he failed
to fulfill the educational terms of the Agreed Disposition.
The committee noted that the Agreed Disposition
prevented it from imposing a harsher sanction upon
Mr. Cubine.
go
to opinion
August
31, 2001
Eli S. Chovitz, St. Paul Building, Suite
503, 125 St. Paul's Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia
23510.
VSB Docket Nos. 99-021-1626 and 99-021-2660
and 01-021-0217
On August 24, 2001, the Disciplinary Board suspended
Eli S. Chovitz's license to practice law in the
Commonwealth of Virginia for a period of one year,
effective September 3, 2001.
The evidence in VSB Docket No. 99-021-1626 showed
that Mr. Chovitz was retained to assist the co-administrators
of an estate on January 16, 1998. Mr. Chovitz received
numerous requests and warnings from the co-administrators
and the commissioner of accounts to file an estate
inventory and accounting but failed to act. After
a delay of over one year, the co-administrators
of the estate filed both the estate inventory and
an affidavit in lieu of an estate accounting to
satisfy the filing requirements and close the estate.
VSB Docket No. 99-021-2660 was occasioned by Mr.
Chovitz's failure to file an estate inventory and
estate accounting, and his failure to retain his
file and records of the estate, for which he qualified
as Administrator in December 21, 1982. Despite repeated
notices and warnings from the Commissioner of Accounts,
Mr. Chovitz failed to make any estate filings from
1983 to 2000, when the estate case was removed from
the Court docket.
The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board found
that the alleged violations in VSB Docket No. 01-021-0217
were not proven by clear and convincing evidence.
This case was dismissed.
Mr. Chovitz appealed his suspension
to the Virginia Supreme Court which granted a stay
effective August 31, 2001. The Supreme Court
later affirmed the board’s decision and the
suspension became effective on May 13, 2002.
go
to opinion
August
29, 2001
Charles Jefferson McCall, 13709 Harbourwood Road,
Midlothian, Virginia 23112
VSB Docket Nos. 97-033-1757, 97-033-1987
and 01-033-1115
The Disciplinary Board approved an Agreed Disposition
suspending Mr. McCall from the practice of law in
Virginia, effective August 24, 2001, for thirteen
months and one day. The Agreed Disposition also
imposes terms upon Mr. McCall's reinstatement.
On March 6, 2000, by agreement, the Disciplinary
Board publically reprimanded Mr. McCall for trust
account violations and imposed terms requiring him
to take steps necessary to get his trust account
records in good order. After the bar challenged
his compliance with the terms, Mr. McCall acknowledged
that he had not complied with the terms, and the
Disciplinary Board suspended him for one year and
one day. The Disciplinary Board imposed an additional
one month suspension for Mr. McCall's failure to
file an estate accounting in a timely manner.
Terms associated with the month long suspension
condition Mr. McCall's reinstatement to the practice
of law on, among other things, a law office management
expert setting up a trust account record keeping
system for Mr. McCall and having a court determine
the appropriate disposition of certain funds remaining
in Mr. McCall's trust account.
go
to opinion
August
28, 2001
Kenneth Harrison Fails, II, Suite 920, 1850
M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036
VSB Docket No. 99-042-2832
On August 24, 2001, the Disciplinary Board suspended
Mr. Fails's license to practice law in the Commonwealth
of Virginia for a period of 90 days, effective August
24, 2001. Mr. Fails practiced law between October
30, 1998, and August 19, 1999, knowing that his
license to practice law had been administratively
suspended for noncompliance with Mandatory Continuing
Legal Education, annual dues, and financial responsibility
requirements.
The Fourth District Committee, Section II, certified
this matter to the Disciplinary Board because Mr.
Fails did not comply with the terms of an earlier
private reprimand issued by the committee for the
same misconduct.
go
to opinion
August
23, 2001
Peter W. Martone, Pavilion Center, Suite 703, 2101
Parks Avenue, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23451
VSB Docket No. 02-000-0335
On August 17, 2001, the Disciplinary Board entered
an order indefinitely suspending Peter W. Martone's
law license effective immediately. The basis for
the suspension was a petition filed by Mr. Martone's
guardian indicating he suffers from a mental disability
that materially impairs his ability to practice
law. The petition was supported by medical evidence
and a prior recent judicial determination of disability.
go
to opinion
August
16, 2001
Charles R. Allen, Jr., 120 Church Avenue, SW, Roanoke,
Virginia 24011-1906
VSB Docket No. 01-080-0604
On August 13, 2001, pursuant to an Agreed Disposition,
the Eighth District Committee issued a Public Reprimand
to attorney Charles R. Allen, Jr., for violating
Rule 8.4(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
That rule provides that it is misconduct for an
attorney to "commit a criminal or deliberately wrongful
act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty,
trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer."
The committee found that an individual left an envelope
at Mr. Allen's law office for Mr. Allen's client,
who was incarcerated in the Roanoke jail. Mr. Allen
visited his client in jail and delivered the envelope
to him. In the envelope were one or more smaller
envelopes, each containing twenty cigarettes. Section
18.2-474 of the Code of Virginia prohibits delivery
of articles to prisoners without the jailor's permission.
Portions of this stature prohibiting such deliveries
were conspicuously posted in the jail.
go
to opinion
August
9, 2001
John Carter Morgan, Jr., 8626 Mountainview
Avenue, Marshall, Virginia 20115
VSB Docket No. 01-000-1260
On August 1, 2001, a three-judge court in Fauquier
County suspended John Carter Morgan's license to
practice law for three years. The suspension order
was retroactive to January 8, 2001, the date of
an interim suspension entered by the Virginia State
Bar Disciplinary Board. The proceedings resulted
from two felony drug convictions. Mr. Morgan pled
guilty to attempted possession of cocaine and to
possession of cocaine. In the attempted possession
case, Mr. Morgan tried to buy cocaine from a court-appointed
client. The three-judge court ruled that the suspension
was appropriate despite the seriousness of the misconduct
for the following reasons: Mr. Morgan was taking
substantial and earnest measures to control his
addiction; his past service to his clients was good;
and the community supported his retaining his license.
The court conditioned the suspension on the successful
completion of probation in the criminal cases. If
Mr. Morgan violates his probation, his license may
be revoked.
go
to opinion
August
8, 2001
Mac
Andres Chambers, 618 Colorado Street, Salem, Virginia
24153
VSB
Docket Nos. 00-080-0491 and 01-080-0087
Following
a hearing on June 26, 2001, the Eighth District
Committee issued two Public Reprimands with Terms
to Mac Andres Chambers (VSB Docket Nos. 00-080-0491
&
01-080-0087). The terms require Mr. Chambers to
engage a risk manager to audit his practice and
a mentor to assist him with cases.
Mr.
Chambers conducted a real estate closing for business
property, which was jointly owned by a married couple.
He distributed $12,538.75, the entire proceeds of
the sale, to the husband without the wife's knowledge
or consent. He subsequently prepared a property
settlement agreement for the husband that showed
a $15,000.00 net loss on the sale and provided for
the wife to relinquish all rights in the transaction.
The committee found that Mr. Chambers breached his
fiduciary duty as a settlement agent, engaged in
a conflict of interest, and failed to communicate
with his client.
The
second reprimand was for incompetently handling
two personal injury cases for the same client and
for failing to communicate with that client. The
client was involved in two automobile cases within
five days. Liability was not an issue in either
case. However, as a result of Mr. Chambers' actions,
the client lost her right to pursue the claims and
continues to be dunned for unpaid medical expenses
relating to the accidents.
Mr.
Chambers' address of record is 618 Colorado Street,
Salem, Virginia 24153.
go
to opinion (docket no. 00-080-0491)
go
to opinion (docket no. 00-080-0087)
August
3, 2001
Matthew
Clark Vroom, 5211 Argall Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia
23508
VSB Docket Nos. 98-021-2668 and 01-021-2156
Matthew Clark Vroom petitioned the Virginia State
Bar Disciplinary Board to surrender his license to
practice law in Virginia with disciplinary charges
pending on July 30, 2001. The board accepted the petition
and revoked his license on August 2, 2001. Summaries
of the charges will be forwarded to the Virginia Supreme
Court.
August
3, 2001*
A. F. Robertson, Jr., Apartment 20L, 375 South
End Avenue, New York, NY 10280
VSB Docket No. 02-000-0190
The
Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily suspended
the law license of Mr. Robertson by order dated August
1, 2001. Mr. Robertson has been disbarred from the
practice of law for the Supreme Court of the State
of New York by order issued July 9, 2001. A hearing
will be held before the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board on Friday, August 24, 2001, to show cause why
Mr. Robertson's license should not be further suspended
or revoked. The summary suspension order was entered
pursuant to the Rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia,
Part 6, Section IV, Paragraph 13 (G).
*August
28, 2001
Archibald Francis Robertson, Jr., 375 South
End Avenue, Apt. 20L, New York, N.Y. 10280
VSB Docket No.: 02-000-0190
On
August 24, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board revoked Archibald F. Robertson, Jr.'s license
to practice law in Virginia. The revocation was
based upon actions taken against him by the State
of New York Grievance Committee.
Mr. Robertson was disbarred by the Supreme Court
of the State of New York Appellate Division: Second
Judicial Department by order dated July 9, 2001.
In that matter, he was charged with twelve violations
of professional misconduct. The charges were predicated
on allegations that he engaged in conduct that adversely
reflected on his fitness to practice law by failing
to maintain a duly constituted escrow account, converting
funds, commingling client funds with personal funds,
failing to register with the Office of Court Administration,
and failing to notify the Office of Court Administration
of his change of address.
go
to opinion
August
1, 2001
Richard Dean Rogers, Jr., P.O. Box 369, Stuart,
Virginia 24171-0369
VSB Docket Nos. 95-090-1593, 95-090-2294,
96-090-0550, 96-090-1860, 97-090-0015 99-090-1919,
01-090-2205 and 01-090-3136
Richard
Dean Rogers, Jr., petitioned the Virginia State
Bar Disciplinary Board to surrender his license
to practice law in Virginia with disciplinary charges
pending on July 23, 2001. The board accepted the
petition and revoked his license on July 27, 2001.
Summaries of the charges will be forwarded to the
Virginia Supreme Court.
August
1, 2001
Charles Robert Gray, P.O. Drawer B, Chester,
Virginia 23831
VSB Docket Nos. 00-031-2347/CRESPA
Respondent was alleged to have engaged in at least
fourteen (14) instances of settlement and/or closing
transactions in residential real estate matters
without having registered under the Consumer Real
Estate Settlement Protection Act (CRESPA). In thirteen
of the fourteen cases, the Board determined that
Respondent's participation in the real estate matters
notwithstanding, he was not listed as the Settlement
Agent on the HUD-1 Statements and could not be found
guilty of a violation under the CRESPA regulations
as they are written. Therefore, all thirteen matters
were summarily dismissed. In the fourteenth matter,
wherein the Respondent was listed as the Settlement
Agent on the HUD-1 Statement, the Board determined
the Bar had not proven by clear and convincing evidence
that Respondent had engaged in a violation of CRESPA.
That matter was also dismissed.
go
to opinion
August
1, 2001
Margo Bly Owen, Suite 302, 200 Little Falls
Street, Falls Church, Virginia 22046
VSB Docket No. 98-041-2379
On July 19, 2001, pursuant to an agreed disposition,
the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended
Ms. Owen's license to practice law in the Commonwealth
of Virginia for a period of ninety (90) days, commencing
September 1, 2001. Ms. Owen was found to have violated
certain sections of DR 3-101 through 104, DR 5-101
and 106, DR 6-101, and DR 9-102 of the Virginia
Code of Professional Responsibility.
Ms. Owen worked in concert with a nonlawyer who
operated a bankruptcy "clinic." The nonlawyer would
meet with the bankruptcy clients, render legal advice
to them, and prepare documents on their behalf.
Ms. Owen was paid a fee by the nonlawyer and/or
the bankruptcy clinic to attend ß341 creditors'
meetings. In most instances, Ms. Owen's first contact
with the clients was at the creditors' meetings.
Among other things, the Board found that Ms. Owen
aided the unauthorized practice of law, shared legal
fees with a nonlawyer, formed a partnership for
the practice of law with a nonlawyer, and failed
to cause fees received to be deposited in an attorney
trust account, as required. The Board considered
the following mitigating factors in accepting the
proposed sanction: absence of a prior disciplinary
record; absence of a dishonest or selfish motive;
inexperience in the practice of law; delay in disciplinary
proceedings; imposition of other penalties or sanctions;
remorse; and cooperative attitude toward the disciplinary
proceedings.
go
to opinion
July
13, 2001
Kerry Dane Armentrout, Armentrout
& Armentrout, P.L.C., 50 South Liberty Street,
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
VSB Docket Nos. 99-070-1479, 99-070-2073,
99-070-2806
On June 22, 2001, Kerry Dane Armentrout received
an Admonition from the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board. Mr Armentrout, on the behalf of a client,
filed a suit for damages against an insurance carrier
and an insurance agency. He filed a motion for judgment,
but then did not take any discovery procedures,
did not respond to the defendant's Request for Admissions,
and did not set a trial date. With the client's
knowledge, he nonsuited and then refiled a motion
for judgment but directed that the defendants not
be served. More than a year elapsed without service
upon the defendants, and the client thereby lost
the ability to prosecute the action to recover a
personal judgment.
The
Disciplinary Board hearing was on June 22, 2001.
The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board found
that the alleged violations in VSB Docket Nos. 99-070-1479
and 99-070-2806 were not proven by clear and convincing
evidence. These cases were dismissed.
go
to opinion
July
11, 2001*
Jeffrey Peter O'Connell, 10521 Judicial
Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA 22030
VSB Docket Nos. 01-051-0573, 01-051-1211,
01-051-2101, 01-051-2547, 01-051-2913
The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board summarily
suspended the law license of Jeffrey Peter O'Connell
by Order dated June 29, 2001. A receiver was appointed
for Mr. O'Connell's law practice by Order of the
Circuit Court of Fairfax County entered June 6,
2001. Mr. O'Connell's law office telephone was disconnected
in April of 2001. Mr. O'Connell moved from his law
office on May 31, 2001, leaving numerous client
files and financial records strewn about the office,
but leaving no forwarding address or telephone number
where his clients could contact him. Mr. O'Connell
also failed to change his address of record with
the Virginia State Bar. A number of Mr. O'Connell's
clients complained to the Virginia State Bar that
Mr. O'Connell received advance payments of legal
fees from them, failed to perform the legal work
for which they hired him, and then could not be
further contacted regarding the status of the clients'
cases or to provide refunds of the clients' money.
A hearing will be held before the Virginia State
Bar Disciplinary Board on July 27, 2001 to determine
whether Mr. O'Connell's law license should be further
suspended or revoked.
*August
1, 2001
Jeffrey
Peter O'Connell, Suite 100, 10521 Judicial Drive,
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
VSB
Docket Nos. 01-051-0573, 01-051-1211, 01-051-2101,
01-051-2547 and 01-051-2913
Jeffrey
Peter O'Connell petitioned the Virginia State Bar
Disciplinary Board to surrender his license to practice
law in Virginia with disciplinary charges pending
on July 24,2001. The board accepted the petition
and revoked his license on July 25, 2001. Summaries
of the charges will be forwarded to the Virginia
Supreme Court.
July
11, 2001*
Michael Alan Ceballos, 200 East Forsyth
Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202
VSB Docket No. 01-000-3285
The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended
Michael Alan Ceballos's license to practice law
in the Commonwealth of Virginia effective June 29,
2001. Mr. Ceballos has been suspended from the practice
of law by order issued January 31, 2001, by the
Supreme Court of Florida.
Mr. Ceballos was ordered to appear before the Disciplinary
Board at the State Corporation Commission, Tyler
Building, 1300 East Main Street, Courtroom B, 2nd
Floor, Richmond, Virginia 23219, at 9:00 a.m., on
Friday, July 27, 2001, to show cause why his license
to practice law within the Commonwealth of Virginia
should not be further suspended or revoked.
*August
7, 2001
Michael Alan Ceballos, III, 200 East
Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202.
VSB Docket No. 01-000-3285
On June 29, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board took reciprocal action and issued an interim
suspension of Mr. Ceballos's license to practice
law in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The reciprocal
action was based upon an order entered on January
31, 2001, by the Supreme Court of Florida, suspending
Mr. Ceballos from practicing law in Florida
for an indefinite period of time. By order entered
July 13, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board appointed a guardian ad litem for Mr.
Ceballos based upon evidence that Mr. Ceballos
may suffer from a disability. Mr. Ceballos'
guardian ad litem and bar counsel subsequently
filed a Joint Petition for Disability with the
Disciplinary Board. Disability evidence was
presented at a hearing on July 27, 2001. Based
upon the evidence presented, the Disciplinary
Board found that Mr. Ceballos suffers from a
disability and suspended his license to practice
law in the Commonwealth of Virginia indefinitely.
July
11, 2001
Roy
Reid Young, III, 60 West Church Street, P.O. Box
1312, Martinsville, Virginia 24114
VSB
Docket No. 99-000-2831
On June 22, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board fined Roy Reid Young $1500 for failing to
register as a settlement agent as required by
the Consumer Real Estate Settlement Protection
Act.
go
to opinion
July
11, 2001*
Bridgette
Miriam Harris, Suite 303, 7603 Georgia Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20012
VSB
Docket No. 01-000-3231
The
Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended
Bridgette Miriam Harris's license to practice
law in the Commonwealth of Virginia effective
June 29, 2001. Ms. Harris has been suspended from
the practice of law for a period of thirty (30)
days effective October 21, 1999, by the Court
of Appeals of Maryland.
Ms.
Harris was ordered to appear before the Disciplinary
Board at the United States Fourth Circuit Court
of Appeals, tenth and Main Streets, Second Floor,
Richmond, Virginia 23219, at 9:00 a.m., on Friday,
July 27, 2001, to show cause why her license to
practice law within the Commonwealth of Virginia
should not be further suspended or revoked.
*August
2, 2001
BRIDGETTE MIRIAM HARRIS, ESQ.
also known as: BRIDGETTE HARRIS-SMITH, ESQ.
BRIDGETTE M. SMITH, ESQ.
VSB Docket No. 01-000-3231
In VSB Docket No. 01-000-3231, on July
27, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board suspended Ms. Harris's license to practice
law in the Commonwealth of Virginia for a period
of thirty (30) days, effective June 29, 2001.
The suspension represents "reciprocal discipline"
imposed in Virginia on the basis of a thirty
(30) day suspension imposed upon Ms. Harris
by the Court of Appeals of Maryland in a decision
filed on September 21, 1999. The primary misconduct
found by the Court of Appeals of Maryland was
Ms. Harris's unauthorized practice of law in
that state.
go
to opinion
July
11, 2001*
Bridgette
Miriam Harris, Suite 303, 7603 Georgia Avenue,
NW, Washington, DC 20012
VSB
Docket No. 01-000-3232
The
Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board suspended
Bridgette Miriam Harris's license to practice
law in the Commonwealth of Virginia effective
June 29, 2001. The United States Bankruptcy Court
for the District of Maryland at Greenbelt, entered
an Order suspending the right of Bridgette Miriam
Harris to practice before the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the District of Maryland on June 15,
1999.
Ms.
Harris was ordered to appear before the Disciplinary
Board at the United States Fourth Circuit Court
of Appeals, tenth and Main Streets, Second Floor,
Richmond, Virginia 23219, at 9:00 a.m., on Friday,
July 27, 2001, to show cause why her license to
practice law within the Commonwealth of Virginia
should not be further suspended or revoked.
*August
2, 2001 BRIDGETTE MIRIAM HARRIS, ESQ.
also known as: BRIDGETTE HARRIS-SMITH, ESQ.
BRIDGETTE M. SMITH, ESQ. VSB Docket No. 01-000-3232
In VSB Docket No. 01-000-3232, on July
27, 2001, the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board suspended Ms. Harris's license to practice
law in the Commonwealth of Virginia indefinitely,
effective June 29, 2001. The suspension represents
"reciprocal discipline" imposed in Virginia
on the basis of an indefinite suspension imposed
upon Ms. Harris by the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the District of Maryland by order
dated June 14, 1999. Ms. Harris consented to
the imposition of such discipline by the bankruptcy
court following issuance of orders to show cause
stemming, in part, from a "course of continuing
conduct by [Ms. Harris] of misfeasance and nonfeasance
observed by Judges of [the bankruptcy court].
go
to opinion
July
11, 2001
Anthony
Fitzroy Reid, Second Floor, 318 North Henry Street,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
VSB
Docket Nos. 00-042-1677, 00-042-2140, 01-042-0918
and 01-042-1111
Anthony
Fitzroy Reid petitioned the Virginia State Bar Disciplinary
Board to surrender his license to practice law in
Virginia with disciplinary charges pending on June
20, 2001. The board accepted the petition and revoked
his license on June 22, 2001. Summaries of the charges
will be forwarded to the Virginia Supreme Court.
Disciplinary
Actions January 2001 - June 2001
Disciplinary
Actions July 2000 - December 2000
Disciplinary
Actions January 2000 - June 2000
Disciplinary
Actions July 1999 - December 1999
Disciplinary
Actions January 22, 1999 - June 1999
|
|
