Attorney Grievance Commission v. Byrd

⁴⁵³ BARBERA, J. The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland (“Petitioner”), acting through Bar Counsel and pursuant to Maryland Rule JG~751(a), 1 filed a Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial Action against Ralph T. Byrd, Respondent. Bar Counsel charged Respondent with violating the following Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct (“MRPC”): 1.1 (Competence), 2 1.3 (Diligence), 3 1.4(a)(2) (Communication), 4 3.1 (Meritorious Claims and Contentions), 5 3.2 (Expediting Litigation), 6 3.3(a)(1) (Candor Toward the Tribunal), 7 3.4(c) and (d) (Fair ⁴⁵⁴ ness to Opposing Party and Counsel), 8 and 8.4(b), (c) and (d) (Misconduct). 9 Pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-752(a), 10 we referred the petition to the Honorable Ronald B. Rubin of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, for an evidentiary hearing and to make findings of fact and conclusions of law. Judge Rubin held a two-day hearing commencing on July 31, 2008. On August 26, 2008, he issued a Memorandum Opinion, pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-757(c). 11 Judge Rubin found by clear ⁴⁵⁵ and convincing evidence that Respondent violated MRPC 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(a)(2), 3.1, 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(c), and 8.4(b)-(d).

The Complaints The charged violations were brought under three complaints. The first of them (“the Jams complaint”), was filed by Gary M. Janis, Esquire, an attorney with Peroutka & Peroutka, P.A., and relates to Respondent’s involvement in a number of the firm’s collection cases. The other two complaints, filed by Bar Counsel, stem from two unrelated matters: Respondent’s involvement in another case with the Peroutka firm, the Ziegler case, and Respondent’s conduct during a bankruptcy proceeding (“the bankruptcy complaint”). Judge Rubin found that the charges related to the complaint concerning the Ziegler case were not proven by clear and convincing evidence.

Petitioner has not filed exceptions to those findings, so we shall not further address those charges. Judge Rubin’s findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding the remainder of the charges follow. Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law By way of background, Judge Rubin found that Respondent was admitted to the bar of the State of New York in 1980, and to the bar of the State of Maryland in 1992. He served from 1986 to 1992 as an Associate General Counsel in the Office of the Comptroller for the State of New York.

Then, in 1992, Respondent began a sole practice in Maryland, focusing initially on federal civil rights claims, employment discrimination claims, and tort actions. In 1998, Respondent began to shift his practice to debtors’ rights under state law. In that regard, Judge Rubin wrote: Byrd elected to pursue this area because he was getting sued by creditors and, as a result of defending his own case, learned defenses available in credit card cases. In particular, Byrd began to develop defenses under the provisions of the Maryland Commercial Code regarding retail credit accounts.

Md. Commercial Law Article §§ 12-501, et. seq. ⁴⁵⁶ (2005 Rep. Vol.). See Jackson v. Pasadena Receivables, Inc., 398 Md. 611 [ 921 A.2d 799 ] (2007). Judge Rubin’s complaint-specific findings of fact and conclusions of law followed.

We quote those findings and conclusions, and include the numbered paragraphs associated with them for ease of reference later in this opinion. Judge Rubin began with the Janis complaint: 5. On September 28, 2006, Gary M. Janis, an attorney with Peroutka & Peroutka, P.A. (the “Peroutka firm”) filed a complaint against Byrd.

The Peroutka firm specializes in filing collection cases, mostly on behalf of credit card companies or firms that have purchased debt from credit card companies, in the District Courts of Maryland. The complaint alleged numerous acts of misconduct by Byrd arising out of Byrd’s representation of debtor defendants in District Court cases. 6. Byrd testified at the hearing that, over time, he represented the majority of debtors sued by the Peroutka firm and became “quite a thorn in their side.” With respect to the matters discussed below, Byrd claimed that he first learned of the problems when contacted by Bar Counsel and that the Peroutka firm never complained to him directly. The court finds Byrd to be credible in this regard. 7.

Byrd entered his appearance in the Mebane collection case in the District Court for Prince George’s County on March 10, 2006. Trial was set for March 29, 2006. On March 10, 200[6], Byrd moved for a continuance due to a scheduling conflict. The continuance was not granted and, when neither Byrd nor the defendant appeared for trial, the District Court entered a default judgment.

The District Court vacated the default judgment on May 24, 200[6]. Byrd testified at the hearing that he simply “assumed” that a continuance would be granted because he had a conflict. 8. On June 23, 2006, in the Hooker case pending in the District Court for Prince George’s County, Byrd filed a motion to reconsider the denial of a motion quashing a subpoena. The hearing on the motion was scheduled for ⁴⁵⁷ August 18, 2006.

Byrd did not appear for the hearing. Opposing counsel appeared and the motion was denied. Byrd’s explanation, which this court does not find to be credible, is that he believed that the hearing had been cancelled. 9. Byrd appeared in the Honsberger case in the District Court for Baltimore County on May 3, 2006, and both sides requested a continuance.

The trial was postponed until July 6, 2006. Byrd appeared for trial on July 6, 2006 and requested another continuance, stating that he had been unable to reach his client. Byrd told the District Court that the last time he had spoken with his client the client had said that she was going out of town for the 4th of July holiday. The court denied the motion, the case was heard, and judgment was entered against Byrd’s client.

Byrd later liled a motion for a new trial, accompanied by an affidavit from the client, in which the client stated that Byrd had not informed her of the July 2006 trial date. The new trial motion was denied. The court finds that Byrd, contrary to his representation to the District Court, did not inform his client of the July 2006 trial date. 10. On June 12, 2006, Byrd filed a motion to continue the Respass case, which was set for trial in the District Court for Prince George’s County on July 16, 2006.

The case was continued on June 15, 2006, but Byrd did not serve counsel for the plaintiff with a copy of his continuance motion. On August 4, 2006, the court in the Respass case ordered Byrd to file supplemental interrogatory answers by August 22, 2006. The certificate of service signed by Byrd stated that the supplemental answers were mailed on August 22, 2006. However, the postmark on the envelope disclosed that they were not mailed until August 26, 2006.

The court finds that Byrd did not mail the supplemental interrogatory answers until April 25, 2006, at the earliest. 11. Byrd filed an appeal in the Harvey case in Prince George’s County. A trial de novo was set for April 14, 2006. Byrd withdrew the appeal and purported to mail the notice on April 10, 2006.

Counsel for the plaintiff did not receive ⁴⁵⁸ Byrd’s notice before the date set for the appeal and appeared at the courthouse. When she returned to her office, Byrd’s notice was on her desk, with a United States postmark of April 13, 2006. The court finds that Byrd did not mail the notice withdrawing the appeal on April 10, 2006, as he represented in his certificate of service. 12. In the Sy case in the District Court for Prince George’s County, the court granted the plaintiffs motion to compel complete interrogatory answers and ordered Byrd to file complete answers.

Byrd did not do so and, on May 10, 2006, the plaintiff moved for sanctions.' On May 26, 2006, Byrd provided interrogatory answers, but they were not under oath, as required by Maryland Rule 3 — 421(d). 13. In the Faulkner case in the District Court for Prince George’s County, the plaintiff served interrogatories on February 21, 2006. Byrd did not respond, and the plaintiff moved to compel on March 13, 2006. The court ordered Byrd to file answers by April 15, 2006.

When Byrd did not comply with the court’s order, the plaintiff moved for sanctions on April 18, 2006. On April 20, 2006, Byrd filed interrogatory answers that were not under oath. In open court on April 21, 2006, Byrd agreed to provide supplemental answers by May 5, 2006. On May 13, 2006, Byrd mailed interrogatory answers to the plaintiff that were not under oath.

At the hearing before this court, Byrd defended his conduct in the Sy and Faulkner cases by claiming that the Peroutka firm was “playing games” with discovery. The court finds Byrd’s explanation for his failure to follow the Maryland Rules not to be credible. 14. In the Kaplan case in the District Court for Montgomery County, Byrd entered his appearance after judgment had been entered against the client. On September 15, 2006, Byrd moved to vacate the judgment, which was denied.

On October 10, 2006, Byrd moved for reconsideration of the motion to vacate, which was also denied. Byrd then filed an appeal on November 29, 2006. The appeal was dismissed on December 1, 2006, as untimely. ⁴⁵⁹ Judge Rubin came to the following conclusions of law regarding the Janis complaint: 15. The court is mindful of the hectic pace of practice before the District Courts and that, as a practical matter, honest mistakes are made, perhaps even with some regularity.

Nevertheless, in the Mebane case, Byrd violated Rules 1.1 and 1.3 when, without an adequate reason, he failed to appear for a scheduled trial. Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Harris, 366 Md. 376, 403 [ 784 A.2d 516 ] (2001). See also Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Harris, 371 Md. 510 , 545-M8 [ 810 A.2d 457 ] (2002); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Ficker, 319 Md. 305, 315 [ 572 A.2d 501 ] (1990). Although a motion for continuance had been filed, it had not been granted.

The granting of a continuance is in the hands of the court, not counsel. Byrd’s failure to appear for the motions hearing in the Hooker case, without a cogent explanation, also violated Rule 1.1 and 1.3. Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Ober, 350 Md. 616, 629-30 [ 714 A.2d 856 ] (1998). 16. Byrd’s conduct in the Honsberger case is disturbing.

He did not notify his client of the trial date. His excuses at the hearing before this court were neither consistent nor credible. Such conduct, at a minimum, violates Rule 1.4(a)(2). See Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Rose, 391 Md. 101, 110-11 [ 892 A.2d 469 ] (2006).

See also Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Kreamer, 404 Md. 282 [ 946 A.2d 500 ] (2008). 17. Byrd’s repeated failures to mail documents on the dates represented in the certificates of service in the Respetas and Harvey cases violated Rule 3.3(a)(1), as the representations as to mailing were false and his failure to timely mail documents affected the handling of the cases by opposing counsel. 18. Byrd’s failures to serve interrogatory answers under oath in Sy and Faulkner violated Rule 1.1. His filing of an untimely appeal in the Kaplan case violated Rule 1.1 as well. 19.

Standing alone, none of these matters likely would warrant serious disciplinary action. But when the court ⁴⁶⁰ reviews the facts of the case as a whole, the court is convinced that Byrd’s conduct evidences a regular, intentional disregard of the Maryland Rules in his handling of debt collection cases, a disregard that is not countenanced simply because the Petrouka firm may have been playing “hardball” with Byrd’s clients. If opposing counsel is engaging in discovery conduct which the attorney believes is improper, counsel should meet and confer to attempt in good faith to resolve the issues. See Rodriguez v. Clarke, 400 Md. 39, 61-64 [ 926 A.2d 736 ] (2007).

If no resolution is obtained, resort may be had to the trial judge or, if necessary, to the administrative judge. But under no circumstances can counsel simply violate the Rules as a litigation strategy. With regard to the bankruptcy complaint, Judge Rubin made the following pertinent findings of fact and conclusions of law: 23. On December 14, 2001, Platinum Financial Services Corporation (“Platinum Financial”), one of Byrd’s creditors, filed an involuntary bankruptcy petition under Chapter 7 of the federal Bankruptcy Code.

The Bankruptcy Code permits a single creditor to file an involuntary petition as long as: (1) the debtor has fewer than twelve creditors; and (2) the creditor filing the petition holds claims totaling more than $11,625 that are not subject to a bona fide dispute. 11 U.S.C. § 303 (b). Platinum Financial had final judgments against Byrd of over $32,000. 24. Platinum Financial is controlled by principals of Wolpof & Abramson, a collections law firm with whom Byrd had clashed. On December 5, 2001; nine days before the involuntary Chapter 7 proceeding was filed, Byrd filed a class action against Platinum Financial in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County. 25.

Upon the filing of the Chapter 7 petition, the bankruptcy court appointed Roger Schlossberg, Esquire, as the Chapter 7 Trustee. Mr. Schlossberg retained as his counsel James M. Hoffman, Esquire, of Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P.A. ⁴⁶¹ 26. On July 24, 2002, Byrd appealed the institution of the Chapter 7 proceeding to the district court, which vacated the action. The Trustee appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

The district court, by Order entered on March 27, 2003, stayed the dismissal of the Chapter 7 case pending appellate review. On February 11, 2004, by a published opinion, the Fourth Circuit reversed the district court’s dismissal of the Chapter 7 proceeding, and remanded the case for further proceedings in the bankruptcy court. In re Byrd, 357 F.3d 433 (4th Cir.2004). 3 27. After remand to the bankruptcy court, Byrd converted his Chapter 7 liquidation case to a case under Chapter 11 reorganization.

However, in the exercise of its discretion, the bankruptcy court appointed a Trustee, rather than allow Byrd to control the estate. 28. The bankruptcy court had good reason to appoint a Trustee, even though the case had been converted to a reorganization under Chapter 11. For example, on December 18, 2002, the bankruptcy court ordered Byrd to permit the Trustee and the Trustee’s attorney to have complete access to the property and its improvements. Byrd did not do so. 29.

As a consequence, on January 24, 2004, the bankruptcy court found Byrd in contempt and, again, ordered Byrd to allow access to the property. 4 ⁴⁶² 30. The original Trustee, Roger Schlossberg, declined to continue to serve, so on July 23, 2004, the bankruptcy court appointed Gregory Johnson, Esquire, to act as Trustee. 31. Johnson testified at the hearing in this case. Johnson is very experienced in bankruptcy matters, having been appointed as a trustee by the bankruptcy court in many cases since 1986.

Given the state of the case, Johnson had a sense of urgency because Byrd had failed to attend a meeting of creditors, was not returning Johnson’s calls and had failed to cooperate with the prior Trustee. Johnson attempted to seek Byrd’s cooperation on several occasions, but was not successful. The court finds Johnson’s testimony regarding his efforts to work with Byrd to achieve an orderly administration of the estate to be credible. The court also -finds that Johnson is an accurate reporter of events. 32.

The principal asset of the estate was Byrd’s real property in Laytonsville, Maryland, consisting of a residence and eleven acres of farmland. As a consequence of Byrd’s repeated failures to cooperate, on August 25, 2004, Johnson filed a motion for a Writ of Assistance from the United States Marshal. 33. On September 15, 2004, the bankruptcy court granted Johnson’s motion and ordered Byrd to allow access to the property on twenty-four hour telephonic notice. 34. Johnson attempted to call Byrd on September 21, 2004, but Byrd did not answer his telephone. 35.

On September 24, 2004, Johnson and a potential buyer went to the property but could not gain access because the gate was locked and a car blocked the entrance to the driveway. Johnson attempted to call Byrd, but Byrd did not answer his telephone. 36. On September 24, 2004, Johnson filed another motion in the bankruptcy court requesting to be [sic] Byrd compelled [sic] to grant him access to the property. 37. On October 7, 2004, the bankruptcy court entered an order compelling Byrd to allow Johnson access to the ⁴⁶³ property and issued a Writ of Assistance.

The court found that Byrd had failed to comply with the court’s prior orders regarding the property. 88. On November 11, 2004, Byrd’s wife, a co-owner of the property, filed a petition under Chapter 13 of the Bankruptcy Code, which had the effect of staying Johnson’s efforts to sell the property. 39. On January 13, 2006, the bankruptcy court consolidated Byrd’s case with that of his wife. On January 30, 2006, the court denied confirmation of Byrd’s proposed plan of reorganization under Chapter 11, and converted the case to a Chapter 7 liquidation.

Johnson was appointed as the Chapter 7 trustee. 40. On April 19, 2006, Hoffman, as counsel to the trustee, wrote to Byrd and advised him of the trustee’s intention to sell the property and requested that Byrd vacate the premises within thirty days. Byrd refused to vacate the premises. 41. On September 16, 2006, Hoffman again wrote to Byrd and requested that Byrd vacate the property by October 15, 2006.

Again, Byrd refused. 42. On September 18, 2006, Johnson filed a motion to authorize the removal of Byrd from the property. The court held a hearing on December 1, 2006 and, on December 11, 2006, ordered that Byrd vacate the premises by January 31, 2007. Byrd did not obey the court’s order. 43.

Hoffman testified at the hearing regarding his efforts to work with Byrd regarding access to and the sale of property. The court finds Hoffman’s testimony to be credible, accurate, and reliable. 44. The court does not find Byrd’s testimony regarding access to and the sale of the property to be credible. 45. Under the Bankruptcy Code, Byrd was required to file monthly reports that set forth his income, expenses, opening balance and closing balance. 46.

Byrd did not file accurate or complete reports. Byrd did not provide timely or accurate information to Johnson, ⁴⁶⁴ or provide supporting bank statements, despite a court order requiring him to do so. 47. The court finds that Byrd’s reports to the bankruptcy court were false, and that Byrd knew they were false when he filed the reports. 48. U.S.C. § 1001 makes it a crime to falsify or conceal a material fact, or to make a false statement or provide a false document to the government or a government agent.

Brogan v. United States, 522 U.S. 398 [ 118 S.Ct. 805 , 139 L.Ed.2d 830 ] (1998). 18 U.S.C. § 1621 prohibits perjury. Bronston v. United States, 409 Md.[U.S.] 352[, 93 S.Ct. 595 , 34 L.Ed.2d 568 ] (1973). 49. Hoffman testified extensively on the subject of Byrd’s business reports and prepared a comparison of Byrd’s reports with bank records Hoffman ultimately obtained. The court finds Hoffman’s testimony regarding the falsity of Byrd’s reports to be highly credible. 50.

On April 19, 2006, Hoffman, on behalf of the Trustee, wrote to Byrd requesting financial information. Byrd did not respond to this letter. 51. On May 8, 2006, Hoffman again wrote to Byrd requesting financial information and reminding Byrd of the prior request. Again, Byrd did not respond to the request. 52.

On June 16, 2006, Hoffman wrote to Byrd for a third time, requesting financial information, and advising Byrd that the information would be needed fourteen days before the meeting of creditors. 53. When no response was received, Hoffman wrote again on September 15,2006. Byrd did not respond. 54. On October 24, 2006, the Trustee filed a motion to compel Byrd to produce documents and financial information.

The bankruptcy court held a hearing on December 1, 2006. 55. On December 8, 2006, the court ordered Byrd to produce financial information, including all bank statements for the period December 14, 2001 through January 31, 2006. ⁴⁶⁵ 56. Byrd wrote to Hoffman on January 30, 2007, stating that he did not have any of the requested records. According to Byrd, they were “lost” when he moved from the Laytonsville property. 57.

On February 15, 2007, the Trustee filed a motion to hold Byrd in contempt, and for monetary sanctions, for failing to produce the requested financial information. A hearing was set for April 2, 2007. 58. On the morning of the hearing, Byrd produced some bank records, cancelled checks and his 2005 federal income tax return. The hearing was postponed until April 25, 2007, to give the Trustee time to review the documents. 59.

The bankruptcy court held a hearing on April 25, 2007. On September 27, 2007, the bankruptcy court held Byrd in contempt for failing to produce documents and awarded sanctions. Under the Bankruptcy Code, the debtor is obligated to cooperate with the Trustee, and to surrender to the Trustee all property of the estate and all documents relating to the property of the estate. 11 U.S.C. § 521 (a)(3) & (4). The bankruptcy court specifically found that Byrd’s “objections were without merit and filed for purposes of delay.” The bankruptcy court also found that Byrd and his wife “had no just cause for their refusal to provide the documents and information to the Trustee in response to his letters, or for their failure to comply with the Production Order.” Sanctions were awarded because the “record here establishes a continuous, ongoing effort by the Debtors to frustrate the Trustee’s administration of the estate.

The Debtors have turned a request for documents by the Trustee into a costly, year-long charade.” The bankruptcy court also found that Byrd “offered no plausible explanation for fhis] failure to produce the information.” Finally, the court found that Byrd’s conduct was “willful.” 60. The court denied Byrd a discharge in bankruptcy. 61. After a hearing, on April 23, 2007, the bankruptcy court ruled from the bench that the Trustee could sell Byrd’s residence. An order to this effect was entered by the court on April 25, 2007.

The bankruptcy court author ⁴⁶⁶ ized the Trustee to sell the property “free and clear of all liens, claims, interests and encumbrances.” 11 U.S.C. § 363 (f). 62. On April 23, 2007, shortly before the hearing on the Trustee’s motion to sell the house, Byrd filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County requesting, among other things, that the state court impose a constructive trust on the residence that was part of the bankruptcy estate. Among others, Byrd named as defendants the current Trustee (Johnson), the former Trustee (Schlossberg), counsel to the Trustee (Hoffman), counsel’s law firm (Shulman Rogers), Bar Counsel and an investigator for the Attorney Grievance Commission. 5 Byrd filed an amended complaint in state court on May 2, 2007, seeking the same relief. 63. On May 7, 2007,- the Trustee filed an emergency motion requesting Byrd to be held in contempt for violating the automatic stay ( 11 U.S.C. § 362 (a)) and for other relief.

Byrd argued in response that the mere filing of the state court complaint against the Trustee, without actual service of process, did not violate the automatic stay. 64. On May 18, 2007, the bankruptcy court granted the motion and entered an order enjoining Byrd “from filing, pursuing or maintaining any action in state or federal court, seeking to obtain possession, custody or control of or any interest in” the Laytonsville Property. The court further enjoined Byrd “from taking any other action, including but not limited to filing a lis pendens against the Property----” The court also enjoined Byrd “from filing, pursuing or maintaining any action in state or federal court seeking any remedy against the Trustee, Mr. Roger Schlossberg, the ⁴⁶⁷ initial Chapter 7[T]rustee .... and Shulman Rogers .... without first seeking and obtaining leave of this Court.” 65. Nevertheless, on May 29, 2007, after the issuance of the bankruptcy court’s injunction, Byrd filed a second amended complaint in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County.

In this second amended complaint, Byrd incorporated all of the allegations set forth in the May 2, 2007 complaint and added, as defendants, the purchasers of the property. Byrd neither sought nor obtained the permission of the bankruptcy court before filing the second amended complaint in state court. 66. On June 1, 2007, the Trustee filed an emergency motion due to Byrd’s violation of the bankruptcy court’s injunction. 67. Byrd served Shulman Rogers with the second amended complaint on July 5, 2007.

Byrd served Schlossberg, the initial Trustee, with the second amended complaint on July 18, 2007. 68. On September 27, 2007, the bankruptcy court entered an order finding Byrd in contempt for willfully violating the court’s order of May 18, 2007. 69. By Order dated July 31, 2008, the district court (Alexander Williams, Jr.) affirmed the bankruptcy court’s contempt order of September 27, 2007. In affirming the bankruptcy court, Judge Williams held that Byrd’s filing of the second amended complaint “was particularly egregious because the [bankruptcy] court previously told [Byrd] that this type of action would violate the stay.” Judge Williams concluded: “Because serving the Second Complaint did constitute willfulness and bad faith, this Court finds that the bankruptcy court appropriately imposed sanctions.... ” 70.

Byrd testified at the hearing before this court that he was justified in filing both state court complaints. He claimed to have performed extensive legal research that justified his actions. 6 ⁴⁶⁸ 71. Byrd is not remorseful for his actions. To the contrary, Byrd believes that his actions were entirely justified. 72.

This court finds that Byrd does not appreciate the gravity of his conduct. Judge Rubin then stated his conclusions of law concerning the bankruptcy matter: 73. The Court of Appeals summarized an attorney’s duty to obey court orders in Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Garland, 345 Md. 383, 398-99 [ 692 A.2d 465 ] (1997). Speaking through Judge Raker, and quoting extensively from Maness v. Meyers, 419 U.S. 449, 458-59 [ 95 S.Ct. 584 , 42 L.Ed.2d 574 ] (1975), the Court of Appeals made it quite clear that a court order must be obeyed until it is vacated, modified or overturned on appeal.

Garland, 345 Md. at 398-99 [ 692 A.2d 465 ]. What lawyers simply cannot do is make “private determinations” of law. 74. Justice Jackson commented on an attorney’s duty to obey court orders in Sacher v. United States, 343 U.S. 1, 9 [ 72 S.Ct. 451 , 96 L.Ed. 717 ] (1952), as follows: “Of course, it is the right of counsel for every litigant to press his claim, even if it appears farfetched and untenable, to obtain the court’s considered ruling.... But if the ruling is adverse, it is not counsel’s right to resist or to insult the judge — his right is only respectfully to preserve his point for appeal.” 75.

Judge Greene, speaking as a circuit court judge in an attorney disciplinary matter, cogently remarked that “where an attorney refuses to obey a lawful order of a court, it shows obvious contempt for the very same court of which the Respondent is an officer.” Garland, 345 Md. at 398 [ 692 A.2d 465 ], 76. During the course of the bankruptcy case, Byrd made innumerable private determinations of law. Byrd’s willful misconduct in flagrantly disobeying court orders and the rules of the bankruptcy court, manifestly involved dishones ⁴⁶⁹ ty and was prejudicial to the administration of justice. The conduct violated Rule 8.4(c) & (d). 77.

Byrd violated Rule 3.4(c) when he contravened the bankruptcy court’s order of September 15, 2004, after already having been found in contempt for violating the order of December 18, 2002 requiring him to allow access to the property. Byrd also violated the bankruptcy court’s order of December 11, 2006, to vacate the premises by January 31, 2006. Byrd did not, and cannot, claim that these orders were not valid. Byrd’s knowing and intentional violation of court orders is a violation of Rule 3.4(c).

Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Mininsohn, 380 Md. 586, 566 [ 846 A.2d 353 ] (2004). Byrd’s conduct in this regard also violated Rule 8.4(d). 78. Byrd’s filing of false business reports violated Rules 8.4(b), (c), and (d). Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Siskind, 401 Md. 41, 67-70 [ 930 A.2d 328 ] (2007).

As Judge Harrell aptly noted in Siskind , “words spoken by an attorney who knows they were untrue involves an inherent intent to deceive.” Id. at 70 [ 930 A.2d 328 ]. Hence, Byrd’s false statements to the bankruptcy court and to the Trustee regarding his financial status violated Rules 8.4(a), (c) and (d). Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Harris, 403 Md. 142, 164-65 [ 939 A.2d 782 ] (2008); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Pak, 400 Md. 567, 606-08 [ 929 A.2d 546 ] (2007); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Sweitzer, 395 Md. 586, 594 [ 911 A.2d 440 ] (2006); Attorney Grievance Comm’m [Comm’n] v. White, 354 Md. 346, 363-64 [ 731 A.2d 447 ] (1999). Cf.

Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Floyd, 400 Md. 236, 251-54 [ 929 A.2d 61 ] (2007) (intentional concealment of a material fact may violate Rule 8.4(c) if there is an intent to mislead). 79. With respect to Rule 8.4(b), the court concludes that Byrd committed criminal acts that reflect adversely on his fitness as a lawyer when he knowingly filed false business reports with the bankruptcy Trustee. The criminal acts are making false statements in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and perjury in violation of [1] 8 U.S.C. § 1621 . See Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Parsons, 404 Md. 175, 179-80 [946 ⁴⁷⁰ A.2d 487] (2008); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. White, 354 Md. at 362-63 [ 731 A.2d 447 ].

See also Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Mininsohn, 380 Md. at 566-68 [ 846 A.2d 353 ]. The fact that Byrd has not been convicted of a crime is of no moment. Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Garland, 345 Md. 383, 394-95 [ 692 A.2d 465 ] (1997). 80. Byrd violated Rule 3. 1, Rule 3.4(c) and Rule 8.4(d) when he filed his second amended complaint in state court because Byrd had no colorable cause of action against the Trustee, counsel to the Trustee, Bar Counsel or the purchasers of the property.

Byrd also violated these Rules when he flatly disobeyed the bankruptcy court’s injunction. 81. As Byrd testified at the hearing before this court, he “just wanted to tell his story.” This is the only reason he provided for intentionally violating the injunction. This reason is legally insufficient. Mitigation Judge Rubin made the following findings concerning [mitigation.

He found that Respondent proved by a preponderance of credible evidence that he has no prior disciplinary record, and he and his counsel cooperated with Bar Counsel and the hearing court. Judge Rubin further found that Respondent did not have “any disabling mental or physical condition that caused or contributed to his misconduct.” Standard of Review We recently set forth the standard by which we consider attorney grievance matters: This Court has original and complete jurisdiction over attorney discipline proceedings in Maryland. Even though conducting an independent review of the record, we accept the hearing judge’s findings of fact unless they are found to be clearly erroneous. This Court gives deference to the hearing judge’s assessment of the credibility of witnesses.

Factual findings by the hearing judge will not be interfered with if they are founded on clear and convincing evidence. ⁴⁷¹ All proposed conclusions of law made by the hearing judge, however, are subject to de novo review by this Court. Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Ugwuonye, 405 Md. 351, 368 , 952 A.2d 226, 235-36 (2008) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). “[T]he hearing judge must ‘apply the clear and convincing standard of proof when weighing the evidence,’ ” in order to find the facts. Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Sis kind; 401 Md. 41, 54 , 930 A.2d 328, 335 (2007) (quoting Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Ward, 394 Md. 1, 16 , 904 A.2d 477, 486 (2006)); accord Md. Rule 16-757(b). 12 “ ‘The clear and convincing standard of proof lies somewhere between a preponderance of evidence standard, which is generally applied to civil cases, and beyond a reasonable doubt standard, which is applied to most crimes.’ ” Siskind, 401 Md. at 54 , 930 A.2d at 335 (quoting Ward, 394 Md. at 16 , 904 A.2d at 486 ). Moreover, “[t]he attorney subject to the disciplinary hearing may assert an affirmative defense or a matter of mitigation or attenuation, but has the burden of proving the defense or matter by a preponderance of the evidence.” Siskind, 401 Md. at 54 , 930 A.2d at 335 (internal citation and quotation marks omitted).

Discussion Petitioner has filed no exceptions. Respondent submits numerous exceptions to Judge Rubin’s findings of fact concerning the Janis complaint and the bankruptcy complaint. The Janis Complaint In his first exception, Respondent writes: ⁴⁷² Respondent excepts to the Finding in paragraph 7 of the Circuit Court’s Memorandum Opinion that he testified he simply “assumed” that the continuance would be granted.... Respondent stated he thought the continuance would be “automatic under the circumstances,” not that he