Attorney Grievance Commission v. Leader

ORDER The Court having considered the Joint Petition for Suspension by Consent filed by the Petitioner and the Respondent, it is this 23rd day of October 1998. ORDERED by the Court of Appeals of Maryland that the Petition be, and it is hereby, GRANTED. Leslie M. Leader is suspended from the practice of law in this State for sixty (60) days, said suspension to take effect thirty (30) days from the date of the Court’s Order, and it is further ORDERED, that within fourteen (14) days of the date of entry of this Order Leslie M. Leader shall: a. File a notice of withdrawal as of the effective date of the suspension with every court, agency, or tribunal before which a matter is pending, together with a copy of the notices sent pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Order, the client’s or clients’ place of residence, and the case caption and docket number of the client’s or clients’ proceedings; ⁶⁵⁶ b.

Resign as of the effective date of the suspension all appointments as guardian, executor, administrator, trustee, attorney-in-fact, or other fiduciary, attaching to the resignation a copy of the notices sent to the wards, heirs, or beneficiaries pursuant to paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Order, the place of residence of the wards, heirs, or beneficiaries, and the case caption and docket number of the proceedings, if any; c. Provide notices to all clients and to all wards, heirs and beneficiaries that she has been suspended for sixty (60) days; that she is disqualified from acting as a lawyer after the effective date of the suspension; and that, if not represented by co-counsel, the client, ward, heir, or beneficiary should act promptly to substitute another lawyer or fiduciary or to seek legal advice elsewhere, calling attention to any urgency arising from the circumstances of the case; d. Provide notices to counsel for all parties (or, in the absence of counsel, the parties) in pending matters that she has been suspended and, as a consequence, is disqualified from acting as a lawyer after the effective date of the suspension; e. 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; f.

Refund any part of any fee paid in advance that has not been earned; and g. Properly disburse or otherwise transfer all client and fiduciary funds in her possession, custody or control. All notices required shall be served by certified mail, return receipt requested, and it is further ORDERED, that within twenty-one (21) days after the date of entry of this Order Leslie M. Leader shall file with the Office of the Bar Counsel an affidavit