Attorney Grievance Commission v. Hendershot

ORDER This matter came before the Court on the Joint Petition of the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland and Respondent, Thomas R. Hendershot. The Court, having considered the Petition, it is this 12th day of October, 2000, ORDERED, that Respondent, Thomas R. Hendershot, be and he is hereby indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in the State of Maryland, effective immediately; and it is further, ORDERED, that the Respondent shall file notices of withdrawal as of the effective date of this suspension in every pending matter before any Court, agency or tribunal in which his appearance is entered as counsel; and it is further, ORDERED, that Respondent shall provide notices by certified mail, return receipt requested, to all clients, wards, heirs and beneficiaries that he has been indefinitely suspended; that he is disqualified from acting as a lawyer after the effective date of the indefinite suspension; and that, if not represented by co-counsel, the client, ward, heir or beneficiary should act promptly to substitute another lawyer, fiduciary or to seek legal advice elsewhere calling attention to any urgency arising from the circumstances of the case; and it is further, ²²⁹ ORDERED, that Respondent provide notices in pending matters in which his appearance is entered to counsel for all other parties (or, in the absence of counsel, the parties) that he has been indefinitely suspended and, as a consequence is disqualified from acting as a lawyer after the effective date of the indefinite suspension; and it is further, ORDERED, that Respondent shall make available to all clients being represented in pending matters any papers or other property to which they are entitled, calling attention to any urgency for obtaining the papers or property; and it is further, ORDERED, that Respondent shall refund the appropriate amounts of any fees paid in advance that have not been earned; and it is further, ORDERED, that Respondent shall close every IOLTA, clients funds, attorney trust or other fiduciary account and properly disburse or otherwise transfer all client and fiduciary funds in his possession, custody or control; and it is further, ORDERED, that within ten (10) days after the date of entry of this Order, the Respondent shall file with Bar Counsel an Affidavit certifying that he has fully complied with the provisions of this Order. Appended to the Affidavit of Compliance shall be: (a) A copy of each