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(a) Order. Upon the filing of a Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial Action, the Supreme Court may enter an order designating (1) a judge of any circuit court to hear the action, and (2) the clerk responsible for maintaining the record. The order of designation shall require the judge, not later than 15 days after the date on which an answer is due, and after consultation with Bar Counsel and the attorney, to enter a scheduling order. The scheduling order shall set dates for the completion of discovery, designation of experts, the filing of motions, and a hearing on the petition. Subject to Rule 19-727 (a) and (e) and for good cause, the judge may amend the scheduling order.

(b) Transmittal of the Record; Summons.

(1) Transmittal of the Record. Upon entry of an order under section (a) of this Rule, the clerk of the Supreme Court shall send an electronic copy of the order to Bar Counsel and transmit the file to the designated clerk of the circuit court.

(2) Summons. Upon receipt of the record from the Supreme Court, the clerk of the circuit court shall issue forthwith a summons for the respondent and shall deliver it, together with a copy of each paper filed, including the order entered under subsection (a)(1), to Bar Counsel for service on the attorney.

(c) Motion to Amend Order Designating Judge. Within 15 days after the respondent has been served, either party may file a motion in accordance with Rule 8-431 requesting that the Supreme Court designate another judge. The motion shall not stay the time for filing an answer to the petition.

Attorney Grievance defense attorney specializes in defending lawyers in disciplinary proceedings before the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission and the D.C. Bar's Board on Professional Responsibility involving professional misconduct, legal ethics, disbarment, suspensions of law licenses, petitions for disciplinary action, reprimands and sanctions for unethical conduct. If you receive a letter from Bar Counsel Lydia Lawless, Disciplinary Counsel Hamilton Fox, or from any attorney disciplinary board in Maryland or the District of Columbia, retain experienced attorneys with expertise in lawyer discipline and breach of ethics cases to avoid sanctions for professional misconduct. We help lawyers avoid disbarment, suspension, reprimands, censure and informal admonitions by drafting responses to client grievances and ethical complaints; representing lawyers in peer reviews, evidentiary hearings, and oral arguments before the BPR and the Court of Appeals; filing petitions to reinstate an attorney's license to practice law; conducting law firm ethical compliance audits; and drafting legal ethics opinions to protect lawyers from ethics charges. In many cases, disciplinary proceedings may be dismissed, dismissed with a warning, or result in a conditional diversion agreement with Bar Counsel to rectify misconduct. Lawyers may need help in managing their law firm attorney escrow IOLTA trust account and complying with attorney trust accounting rules to avoid charges of ethical misconduct. Do not represent yourself in responding to an attorney grievance, law firm client complaint, or other allegation of ethical impropriety. Attorney grievance defense counsel may help you comply with legal ethics rules, avoid sanctions like suspension or disbarment, and avoid future attorney grievances.

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By The Lawyer's Lawyers | Kramer & Connolly and Irwin R. Kramer who are responsible for the content of this informational website.   This website is designed for lawyers faced with attorney grievances. As cases do differ, past performance does not guarantee future results.
 

NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND
OR THE BOARD ON PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE D.C. BAR