Attorney Grievance Commission v. Monroe

ORDER The Court having considered the Joint Petition for Indefinite Suspension by Consent filed by the Petitioner and the Respondent, it is this 14th day of May, 1998 ORDERED by the Court of Appeals of Maryland that the Petition be, and it is hereby, GRANTED. Scott A. Monroe is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in this State, 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 Scott A. Monroe shall: a. File a notice of withdrawal as of the effective date of the indefinite suspension with every court, agency, or tribunal ⁵⁵⁷ 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; b. Resign as of the effective date of the indefinite 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 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 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 he has been indefinitely suspended and, as a consequence, is disqualified from acting as a lawyer after the effective date of the indefinite 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 have not been earned; and g.

Close every IOLTA, client, trust or other fiduciary account and properly disburse or otherwise transfer all client and fiduciary funds in his possession, custody or control. All notices required shall be served by certified mail, return receipt requested, and it is further ⁵⁵⁸ ORDERED, that within twenty-one (21) days after the date of entry of this Order Scott A. Monroe shall file with the Office of the Bar Counsel an affidavit certifying that he has fully complied with the provisions of this Order. Appended to the affidavit of compliance shall be: h. A copy of each form or notice, the name and addresses of the clients, wards, heirs, beneficiaries, attorneys, courts and agencies to which notices were sent, and all return receipts or returned mail received up to the date of the affidavit.

Supplemental affidavits shall be filed covering subsequent return receipts and