Case Title: Attorney Grievance v. Silbiger

Citation: 

Docket Number: 57ag/20

State: maryland

Court: Maryland Supreme Court

Date: 2022-05-26T00:00:00Z

Document:
Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Clifford Baer Silbiger, Misc. Docket AG 
No. 57, September Term, 2020, Opinion by Booth, J. 
 
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE – SANCTIONS – DISBARMENT 
 
Respondent Clifford Baer Silbiger violated the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional 
Conduct 19-301.1 (Competence); 19-301.4 (Communication); 19-301.15 (Safekeeping 
Property); 19-308.1 (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters); 19-308.4(a)–(d) 
(Misconduct); Rule 19-407 (Attorney Trust Account Record-Keeping); Rule 19-408  
(Commingling of Funds); Rule 19-410 (Prohibited Transactions); and the Business 
Occupations and Professions Article §10-306.  Mr. Silbiger’s violations arose from his 
misappropriation of client and third-party funds; failure to keep the required deposits and 
balances in his trust account; failure to create and maintain accurate and realistic records 
of his trust account; improperly commingling his funds with those in his attorney trust 
account in order to conceal his misconduct; performing prohibited transactions; making 
disbursements from his client’s settlement funds without the client’s knowledge; making 
cash disbursements; paying personal expenses from his attorney trust account client funds; 
initially, knowingly and intentionally holding back information and documentation 
requested by Bar Counsel; engaging in dishonest conduct; and engaging in conduct that is 
prejudicial to the administration of justice.   
 
Considering the nature of Mr. Silbiger’s misconduct and the various mitigating and 
aggravating factors present here, the Court of Appeals concluded that disbarment is the 
appropriate sanction.   
 
 
 
 
Circuit Court for Carroll County 
Case No.: C-06-CV-20-000424  
Argued: March 4, 2022 
 
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS 
OF MARYLAND 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Misc. Docket AG No. 57 
  
September Term, 2020 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION 
OF MARYLAND 
 
v. 
 
CLIFFORD BAER SILBIGER 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Watts 
Hotten 
Booth 
Biran 
Gould 
Harrell, Glenn T., Jr. 
(Senior Judge, Specially Assigned) 
McDonald, Robert N. 
(Senior Judge, Specially Assigned), 
 
JJ. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Opinion by Booth, J. 
Harrell, J., joins in judgment only. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Filed:  May 26, 2022 
 
 
 
Pursuant to Maryland Uniform Electronic Legal 
Materials Act 
(§§ 10-1601 et seq. of the State Government Article) this document is authentic. 
 
 
 
 
 
Suzanne C. Johnson, Clerk 
2022-05-26 14:40-04:00
 
In this case, we must determine the appropriate sanction to impose for an attorney’s 
intentional misconduct in connection with activities in which he engaged related to his 
attorney trust account, including taking cash disbursements, commingling personal funds 
with client funds, paying personal expenses directly from his attorney trust account, and 
maintaining negative client-matter balances.  The attorney, Respondent, Clifford Baer 
Silbiger, admits to borrowing funds from his attorney trust account to cover expenses 
related to his law firm—in essence, taking an interest-free loan from his client without her 
knowledge or consent.  The only issue in dispute is the appropriate sanction to be imposed 
for the misconduct.  Mr. Silbiger has proven considerable mitigating factors, including an 
unblemished professional record that spans 50 years and an excellent reputation in the legal 
community.  And he asserts that no client or third party was harmed in connection with the 
misconduct.  In fact, the client was likely not even aware that Mr. Silbiger borrowed from 
the funds held in trust, which Mr. Silbiger claims that he always intended to repay, and did 
indeed repay.  For the reasons set forth herein, although we have considered the facts and 
circumstances presented in this case, we do not determine that the circumstances 
surrounding the misconduct justify a deviation from the sanction of disbarment that is 
ordinarily warranted when considering misconduct of this nature.  
I 
Background 
 
A. Procedural Context 
 
On December 9, 2020, the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland 
(“Commission”), acting through Bar Counsel, filed a Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial 
2 
 
Action (“Petition”) against Respondent, Clifford Baer Silbiger.  The Petition alleged that 
Mr. Silbiger violated the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct (“MARPC”)1 
in connection with his representation of Shannon Johnson.  Specifically, Bar Counsel 
charged Mr. Silbiger with violating MARPC 19-301.1 (Competence); 19-301.3 
(Diligence); 19-301.4(a) and (b) (Communication); 19-301.15(a), (b), and (d) (Safekeeping 
Property); 19-308.1(b) (Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters); 19-308.4 (a)–(d) 
(Misconduct); Maryland Rule 19-404 (Trust Account – Required Deposits)2; Maryland  
Rule 19-407(a)(2)–(d) (Attorney Trust Account Record-Keeping); Maryland Rule 19-
408(a) (Commingling of Funds); Maryland Rule 19-410(a)–(c) (Prohibited Transactions); 
and Maryland Code, Business Occupations & Professions Article (“BOP”), § 10-306. 
 
Pursuant to Maryland Rule 19-722(a), this Court transmitted the case to the Circuit 
Court for Carroll County and designated Senior Judge Louis A. Becker, III (“hearing 
judge”) to conduct an evidentiary hearing and make findings of fact and conclusions of 
law.  The hearing took place on July 7, 2021.  Mr. Silbiger was represented by counsel 
throughout the hearing.  Many of the facts of the case were stipulated to in a Joint Statement 
 
1 Effective July 1, 2016, the Maryland Lawyer’s Rules of Professional Conduct 
(“MLRPC”) were renamed the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct 
(“MARPC”) and recodified in Title 19 of the Maryland Rules with the term “attorney” 
substituted for the term “lawyer.”  See Maryland Rules 19-300.1 et seq.  In an effort to 
enhance readability, we use abbreviated references to the prior codifications of these 
rules, which are consistent with the ABA Model Rules on which they are based (i.e., 
Maryland Rule 19-301.1 will be referred to as Rule 1.1).  See ABA Compendium of 
Professional Responsibility Rules and Standards (Am. Bar Ass’n 2017). 
 
2 Bar Counsel withdrew its allegation that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 19-404 (Trust 
Account – Required Deposits).  Thus, the hearing judge did not make conclusions on that 
allegation. 
3 
 
of Stipulated Facts that was submitted at the hearing.  An Amended Joint Statement of 
Stipulated Facts (“Stipulation”) was submitted on August 3, 2021. 
 
The hearing judge issued a Memorandum of Findings of Fact and Conclusions of 
Law, on August 24, 2021, in which he found clear and convincing evidence that Mr. 
Silbiger violated MARPC 1.1, 1.4, 1.15, 8.1, 8.4(a)–(d), Rule 19-407, Rule 19-408, Rule 
19-410, as well as BOP §10-306.3  The hearing judge also made findings of fact related to 
aggravating and mitigating circumstances for this Court’s consideration in formulating an 
appropriate sanction.  
 
Neither the Commission nor Mr. Silbiger filed exceptions to any of the hearing 
judge’s findings of fact or conclusions of law.  This Court accepts a hearing judge’s findings 
as established when no exceptions are filed.  Md. Rule 19-740(b)(2)(a).  We review the 
hearing judge’s conclusions of law de novo.  Md. Rule 19-740(b)(1).  Furthermore, this Court 
determines whether clear and convincing evidence establishes that an attorney violated the 
MARPC.  For the reasons set forth below, based on our independent review of the record, 
we affirm the hearing judge’s legal conclusions on all matters.   
 
B. Facts 
 
 
Mr. Silbiger’s Law Practice 
 
Mr. Silbiger was admitted to the Bar of Maryland on September 21, 1970.  At all 
times relevant to this proceeding, Mr. Silbiger was a solo practitioner who maintained an 
office for the practice of law in Westminster, Maryland.   
 
3 The hearing judge found that the Commission did not meet its burden of proof in 
establishing a violation of MARPC 1.3. 
4 
 
 
 
Representation of Shannon Johnson 
 
On September 19, 2016, Shannon Johnson and her two minor children were injured 
in an automobile collision.  The other driver was found to be at fault.  Ms. Johnson retained 
Mr. Silbiger to represent her and her children in connection with their claims against the 
at-fault driver.   
 
In November 2018, Mr. Silbiger settled Ms. Johnson’s claims and those of her minor 
children for a total of $101,000.  At the time of settlement, Ms. Johnson had obligations to 
pay $7,000 to Dan Tannen for “pre-settlement” funding,4 as well as an outstanding 
Medicaid lien.   
On November 21, 2018, Mr. Silbiger deposited the settlement check into his 
attorney trust account.  That same day, he disbursed $1,200 from the settlement funds as a 
portion of his earned fee.  On November 26, Mr. Silbiger made a second disbursement to 
himself for fees in the amount of $27,466.66.  Several days later, on December 3, Mr. 
Silbiger issued a check in the amount of $7,000 payable to Mr. Tannen.  On December 14, 
Mr. Silbiger made a partial disbursement of the settlement proceeds to Ms. Johnson in the 
amount of $16,385.97 but continued to hold back funds pending the resolution of her 
Medicaid lien.   
Between December 19, 2018 and January 29, 2019, without Ms. Johnson’s 
knowledge or permission, Mr. Silbiger knowingly and intentionally used $27,566.38 of her 
 
4 Ms. Johnson had an agreement with Mr. Tannen to reimburse him out of any 
settlement proceeds she received from her claim.  
5 
 
settlement proceeds to pay expenses associated with his law practice, including payroll for 
his employees, health insurance benefits, and monthly mortgage payments.   
On January 21, 2019, after receiving confirmation that no additional funds were 
owed to Medicaid, Mr. Silbiger prepared a settlement sheet and wrote Ms. Johnson a 
check in the amount of $42,951.50 for the remainder of her settlement funds.  However, 
because Mr. Silbiger did not have sufficient funds in his attorney trust account to cover 
the check, he did not deliver the check to Ms. Johnson until January 29, after he had 
deposited $35,000 of his personal funds into his attorney trust account.  At that time, 
because Mr. Tannen had not cashed the $7,000 check, Mr. Silbiger’s trust obligation 
remained $49,951.50.  
On February 4, Ms. Johnson cashed the check for $42,951.50, leaving a balance of 
$6,714.88 in Mr. Silbiger’s trust account—insufficient funds to cover the trust obligation 
to Mr. Tannen for his uncashed check in the amount of $7,000.   
Between February 6 and February 12, Mr. Silbiger made two additional withdrawals 
from his trust account in checks made payable to himself.  As a result, on February 15, 
2019, when Mr. Tannen cashed the $7,000 check, it caused an overdraft in the amount of 
- $3,985.24 in Mr. Silbiger’s trust account. 
 
Mr. Silbiger’s Attorney Trust Account 
Mr. Silbiger maintained an attorney trust account at PNC Bank during the time 
relevant to this case.  He admits that he made cash disbursements from his attorney trust 
account, commingled personal funds with client funds, paid personal expenses directly 
from his attorney trust account, and maintained negative client matter balances.  Between 
6 
 
September 2018 and December 2020, Mr. Silbiger wrote 11 checks made payable to cash 
from his trust account, totaling $34,000.  He made another cash withdrawal on November 
15, 2019 in the amount of $36,666 for fees earned in another client matter.  During the 
period between December 2018 through March 2019, Mr. Silbiger wrote four checks from 
his attorney trust account to three different banks for personal expenses totaling $7,391.06.  
As a result of Mr. Silbiger’s actions, on several occasions between November 18, 2018 and 
July 29, 2019, the balance in his attorney trust account fell below the amount he was 
required to maintain in trust for his clients.   
Based upon these transactions, the hearing judge found that Mr. Silbiger failed to 
safekeep his clients’ funds in his attorney trust account.  The hearing judge further 
determined that, although Mr. Silbiger’s attorney trust account was out of balance on 
several occasions, all funds that were owed to all clients and third parties were received 
without delay.   
 
 
Bar Counsel’s Investigation 
 
On February 22, 2019, Bar Counsel received notice from PNC Bank of the February 
15, 2019 overdraft that occurred when Mr. Tannen presented the $7,000 check written to 
him on Mr. Silbiger’s attorney trust account.  That same day, Bar Counsel wrote to Mr. 
Silbiger, requesting that he explain the reason for the overdraft and provide copies of his 
client ledgers, deposit slips, cancelled checks, and monthly bank statements from 
December 2018 through February 2019.  Mr. Silbiger responded on March 6, 2019 and 
explained that the overdraft occurred when funds that should have been deposited into his 
7 
 
escrow account were deposited into his regular account in error.5  However, he failed to 
provide Bar Counsel copies of the documents that had been requested.6   
 
On April 24, 2019, Bar Counsel’s investigator, Charles E. Miller, IV, wrote Mr. 
Silbiger and again asked that Mr. Silbiger provide the documents requested by Bar Counsel 
in their February 22, 2019 letter.  In early June 2019, Mr. Silbiger, through counsel, 
provided the documents Bar Counsel had requested, which included a client ledger for 
Thomas Riddle with a balance of $31,774.73 and a client ledger for Shannon Johnson with 
a balance of $5,991.87.  Nevertheless, Mr. Silbiger’s trust account reflected a negative 
balance of -$3,985.24 as of February 15, 2019.  Accordingly, the records revealed that Mr. 
Silbiger failed to maintain accurate records for the receipt, maintenance, and disbursement 
of funds belonging to clients and third parties.  
 
Bar Counsel wrote Mr. Silbiger on July 18, 2019 and requested additional 
information and records for the period of February 2019 through July 2019, including bank 
statements, copies of client ledgers, deposit slips, cancelled checks, and monthly bank 
statements.  On September 6, 2019, Mr. Silbiger, through counsel, responded and admitted 
that without Ms. Johnson’s knowledge or authorization, he 
borrowed $35,000 from the Shannon Johnson settlement . . . .  In this context, 
the term “borrowed” means that [he] borrowed funds for his own purposes 
 
5 Mr. Silbiger testified that he became aware of this error on a Friday evening and 
went to the bank Saturday morning and again, on Monday morning to redeposit a $9,000 
fee check into his trust account to satisfy the $7,000 check.  
 
6 Mr. Silbiger testified that he provided the information that he thought would satisfy 
Bar Counsel’s concern about the negative balance and incorrect deposit related to his 
attorney trust account.  He further testified that he was concerned that providing additional 
documentation would reveal other items that would be detrimental to him.   
8 
 
with the intention of repaying the funds within a short period of time, which 
he did.  The term “borrowed” is not meant to imply that [he] had an 
agreement with Shannon Johnson with regard to the use of these funds. . . .  
The funds from the settlement of Shannon Johnson’s claim that [he] 
borrowed and repaid were not funds that could have been disbursed to 
Shannon Johnson at the time the funds were borrowed, as these funds were 
subject to a claim by a lienholder that was then under negotiation.  When the 
lien was compromised, [he] repaid the funds in full to his trust account, and 
made prompt and full disbursement of all funds due to his client.  [He] always 
intended to repay the borrowed funds.  Shannon Johnson was not harmed.  
When [he] repaid the loan, he initially, and mistakenly, deposited part of the 
repayment into the wrong account, which was the direct cause of the negative 
balance on February 15, 2019.  
 
Evidence and Testimony from the Evidentiary Hearing 
 
As stated above, an evidentiary hearing was held on July 7, 2021.  The evidence 
consisted of ten exhibits, including the PNC Bank records pertaining to Mr. Silbiger’s trust 
account, a summary of the bank records, the Stipulation (in which Mr. Silbiger admitted to 
the conduct that was the subject of the hearing), and letters exchanged between Mr. 
Silbiger’s counsel and Bar Counsel.  Mr. Silbiger testified and called three character 
witnesses, each of whom had known Mr. Silbiger both personally and professionally for 
approximately 25–30 years.   
Mr. Silbiger testified that he had a thriving law practice until 2018 when he spent a 
considerable amount of money on marketing and advertising in an effort to compete with 
larger law firms.  Unfortunately, this investment did not pay off, and his practice began to 
decline.  When Mr. Silbiger’s cash flow diminished, and he was faced with office expenses, 
payroll, mortgages, and other expenses, he became distressed.  He testified that he made 
the ill-fated decision to borrow funds from his attorney trust account—to “rob Peter to pay 
Paul”—because “I was so anguished over the fact that I couldn’t satisfy my expenses.”  He 
9 
 
made this decision despite his testimony that he held a 50% ownership in a marina7 that 
was doing exceedingly well.  In fact, he testified that the marina’s operating account had 
“an abundance of cash” that was accessible to him “at any time,” and he “always knew that 
if it came to the point where I had to satisfy the money I took from the trust account, I 
would always have the wherewithal to pay it back through the marina . . . .”  However, his 
“pride got in the way[,]” and he was too “embarrassed” to ask his partner in the marina if 
he could take funds from the marina account to meet the commitments and expenses of his 
law practice.  Being too proud to go to his partner, Mr. Silbiger decided to use funds from 
his attorney trust account to cover his expenses.  Mr. Silbiger asserts that it was never his 
intent to permanently deprive anyone of their funds and that he always had the ability to 
repay the borrowed funds.  And in fact, he did pay all of it back.  
 
Mr. Silbiger also testified concerning the presence of several mitigating factors that 
we will discuss more fully herein.  In addition to his own testimony, Mr. Silbiger presented 
three witnesses who testified about his character and reputation.  Lance Montour, Esquire 
testified that he worked for Mr. Silbiger from 1996 through 1999, and since then, they have 
remained “social friends” and “professional colleagues.”  Mr. Montour testified that Mr. 
Silbiger has a big heart, would reduce his fees when clients could not pay, and treats clients 
and other attorneys with respect and professionalism.  According to Mr. Montour, Mr. 
Silbiger is trustworthy, honest, a person of integrity, and well-respected in the legal 
community.  Mr. Montour stated that, in his 25 years of professional interactions with Mr. 
 
7 Mr. Silbiger testified that the marina sold in October 2019 for $7.5 million dollars. 
10 
 
Silbiger, he was unaware of any other violations of the professional rules of conduct and 
was certain that Mr. Silbiger’s misconduct here was an isolated incident.  
William Finch, Jr., Esquire testified that he has known Mr. Silbiger since the early 
1980s.  They became acquainted through the Carroll County Bar Association and over the 
years, have often discussed professional issues relating to cases such as witnesses, experts, and 
tactical issues.  Mr. Finch described Mr. Silbiger as always being “very well prepared” and  
“very professional, very smooth, and very warm and friendly.”  He also testified that he had 
never observed Mr. Silbiger to be “anything other than trustworthy or a person of integrity[]” 
and that Mr. Silbiger “enjoys an excellent reputation” in the legal community.  Mr. Finch stated 
that he was surprised to hear about the misconduct charges, which Mr. Silbiger had voluntarily 
shared with him, which had caused Mr. Silbiger a great deal of anguish.  Mr. Finch stated that 
Mr. Silbiger had made no effort to try to “justify or mitigate” his wrongdoing.  Mr. Finch noted 
that because Mr. Silbiger has “had a long and honorable career[,]” he hoped that Mr. Silbiger 
would be given a “second chance,” a chance at “professional redemption.”  
Judge Joseph Barry Hughes testified that he had known Mr. Silbiger since the early 
1980s, prior to Judge Hughes being appointed to the bench.  Judge Hughes, initially in his 
capacity as a colleague and, later, as a judge, described him as being “very professional,” 
“friendly,” and “extremely competent.”  After becoming a judge, his impression of Mr. 
Silbiger’s preparation and interactions with clients and opposing counsel was that Mr. 
Silbiger was “[s]uperior” and “in the upper tier of really all of the attorneys that I have 
dealt with over the years, both on the bench and before that[.]” Judge Hughes described 
Mr. Silbiger’s reputation among the Carroll County Bar as being “trustworthy” and noted 
11 
 
that he “has an excellent reputation in Carroll County . . . .”  Judge Hughes testified that he 
“wouldn’t do this for just anybody[,]” and that  
it is absolutely essential for both the fact finder and for the Court of Appeals 
to know the full counter weight against the conduct that [Respondent] has 
been charged with so that the scales can be true, and that both Judge Becker 
and the Court of Appeals can make an informed and accurate, and hopefully 
compassionate, decision.   
 
II  
Violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct 
 
Based on the record and the above-summarized findings of fact, the hearing judge 
concluded, by clear and convincing evidence, that Mr. Silbiger violated MARPC 1.1, 1.4, 
1.15, 8.1, 8.4(a)–(d), Md. Rule 19-407, Md. Rule 19-408, Md. Rule 19-410, as well as  
BOP §10-306.  Neither Mr. Silbiger nor the Commission filed exceptions.  Based upon our 
independent review of the record, we agree with the hearing judge’s conclusions that Bar 
Counsel established a violation of these rules by clear and convincing evidence.   
Competence—Failing to Meet Basic Standards (1.1) 
“An attorney shall provide competent representation to a client.  Competent 
representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation 
reasonably necessary for the representation.”  Rule 1.1.  The hearing judge concluded that 
Mr. Silbiger failed to satisfy the standards of competence when he: (1) failed to safekeep 
client and third-party funds; (2) failed to keep the required deposits and balances in his 
trust account; (3) failed to keep accurate and realistic records of his trust account; (4) 
improperly commingled his funds with those of his trust fund; and (5) performed prohibited 
transactions.  Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Smith, 443 Md. 351, 369 (2015) (citing 
12 
 
Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Mungin, 439 Md. 290, 305 (2014) (“an attorney 
demonstrates his or her incompetence by failing to properly maintain settlement monies in 
a trust account resulting in negative balances”)); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Blatt, 463 
Md. 679, 699 (2019) (“The failure to maintain funds received on behalf of a client in a trust 
account demonstrates incompetence.”) (citation omitted). 
We agree with the hearing judge that the record supports clear and convincing 
evidence that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 1.1, and that the violations, taken separately or 
together, constitute a “lack of competence and proficiency in the practice of law, regardless 
of any intent not to permanently deprive clients of their funds.” 
Failure to Communicate (1.4) 
 
Rule 1.4 provides that: 
 
(a)  An attorney shall: 
 
(1) promptly inform the client of any decision or circumstance with 
respect to which the client’s informed consent, as defined in Rule 19-
301.0(f)(1.0), is required by these Rules; 
  
(2) keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter; 
  
(3) promptly comply with reasonable requests for information; and 
  
(4) consult with the client about any relevant limitation on the attorney’s 
conduct when the attorney knows that the client expects assistance 
not permitted by the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional 
Conduct or other law. 
  
(b) An attorney shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to 
permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the 
representation. 
 
 
13 
 
The hearing judge concluded that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 1.4 when—without 
Ms. Johnson’s knowledge or authorization—he made disbursements from her settlement 
funds.  These disbursements constituted an intentional misappropriation.  Furthermore, Mr. 
Silbiger failed to inform Ms. Johnson of his misappropriation of her funds.  We agree with 
the hearing judge’s conclusion that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 1.4.   
Failure to Safekeep Property (1.15) 
 
Rule 1.15(a) provides, in relevant part: 
(a) An attorney shall hold property of clients or third persons that is in an 
attorney’s possession in connection with a representation separate from the 
attorney’s own property.  Funds shall be kept in a separate account 
maintained pursuant to Title 19, Chapter 400 of the Maryland Rules, and 
records shall be created and maintained in accordance with the Rules in that 
Chapter.  Other property shall be identified specifically as such and 
appropriately safeguarded, and records of its receipt and distribution shall be 
created and maintained.  Complete records of the account funds and of other 
property shall be kept by the attorney and shall be preserved for a period of 
at least five years after the date the record was created. 
  
(b) An attorney may deposit the attorney’s own funds in a client trust account 
only as permitted by Rule 19-408 (b). 
 
* * * 
 
(d) Upon receiving funds or other property in which a client or third person 
has an interest, an attorney shall promptly notify the client or third person.  
Except as stated in this Rule or otherwise permitted by law or by agreement 
with the client, an attorney shall deliver promptly to the client or third person 
any funds or other property that the client or third person is entitled to receive 
and, upon request by the client or third person, shall render promptly a full 
accounting regarding such property. 
 
This Court has held that “withdrawing funds from a trust account for personal 
matters also constitutes a violation of Rule 1.15(a).”  Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Bell, 
432 Md. 542, 553 (2013).  Furthermore, “[t]he mere fact that the balance in an attorney 
14 
 
trust account falls below the total amounts held in trust supports a prima facie finding of 
[a] violation of [Rule 1.15.]” Id. at 552–53 (alteration in original) (quoting Attorney 
Grievance Comm’n v. Glenn, 341 Md. 448, 472 (1996)).  Moreover, “funds shall be kept 
in a separate account . . . records shall be created and maintained . . . and [c]omplete 
records of the account funds and of other property shall be kept by the attorney and shall 
be preserved for a period of at least five years . . . .”  Rule 1.15(a).  In Attorney Grievance 
Comm’n v. Gelb, 440 Md. 312, 325 (2014) this Court held that the attorney’s “lack of 
proper record-keeping, combined with his mishandling of the funds in his attorney trust 
account . . . [rose] to a level of incompetent representation in violation of [MARPC 1.1].”   
 
The hearing judge found, and Mr. Silbiger admitted, that Mr. Silbiger made cash 
disbursements and paid personal expenses from his attorney trust account.  In conjunction 
with these actions, he wrote checks from his attorney trust account to Sandy Spring Bank, 
First National Bank, and Bank of Glen Burnie.  These disbursements were the cause of the 
negative balance in his attorney trust account.  Additionally, Mr. Silbiger commingled his 
personal funds with client funds and failed to create and maintain records in accordance 
with Maryland Rule 19-407.   
 
Mr. Silbiger asserts that he “always intended to repay the ‘borrowed’ funds[,]” and 
that Ms. Johnson “was not harmed.”  This Court has expressed concerns regarding potential 
injuries to which a violation of Rule 1.15 could lead.8  “We cannot understate the 
 
8 During oral argument, Judge Biran posited the question:  
 
“What if he had been hit by a bus in the interim? . . . [H]e thought he 
could repay with ease, but shouldn’t we be concerned about other 
15 
 
importance of holding funds in escrow in accordance with Rule 1.15 and how the Rule 
reinforces the public’s confidence in our legal system.  Escrow accounts serve as sanctuary 
for client funds from the attorney’s creditors.”  Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Sheridan, 
357 Md. 1, 31 (1999).   
We agree with the hearing judge that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 1.15 when he made 
cash disbursements from his trust account, commingled personal funds with client funds, 
paid personal expenses directly from his attorney trust account, and maintained negative 
client matter balances. 
Failure to Respond to Bar Counsel’s Request for Information (8.1) 
 
It goes without saying that cooperation with Bar Counsel’s investigation is 
imperative.  Rule 8.1(b) provides, in part, that an attorney shall not “fail to disclose a fact 
necessary to correct a misapprehension known by the person to have arisen in the matter, 
or knowingly fail to respond to a lawful demand for information from [a] . . . disciplinary 
authority[.]”   
 
While the information Mr. Silbiger provided to Bar Counsel regarding the error 
made in depositing funds into the wrong account was true, he acknowledged that he knew 
that full disclosure of the information requested would expose the extent of his 
misappropriation.  The hearing judge observed that Mr. Silbiger fully responded to Bar 
 
cases where people might subjectively believe, of course, I’ll be able 
to repay, and I want to repay, and then something happens, and they 
don’t?” 
16 
 
Counsel’s second request in a timely manner and “never gave an excuse or prevaricated as 
to the overall delay.” 
We agree with the hearing judge that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 8.1 when, in his 
initial response to Bar Counsel’s February 22, 2019 letter, he knowingly and intentionally 
held back information and documentation that he knew would reveal his misconduct.   
General Misconduct (8.4) 
Rule 8.4(a) provides that an attorney commits professional misconduct if the 
attorney “violate[s] or attempt[s] to violate the [MARPC], knowingly assist[s] or induce[s] 
another to do so, or do so through the acts of another.”  As a result of Mr. Silbiger 
committing other disciplinary rules, the hearing judge found, and we agree, that he violated 
Rule 8.4(a).   
Under Rule 8.4(b), it is professional misconduct for an attorney to “commit a 
criminal act that reflects adversely on the attorney’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as 
an attorney in other respects[.]”  The hearing judge found that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 
8.4(b) when he misappropriated client funds and used the funds to pay for personal and 
business expenses.  The hearing judge further observed that while “no criminal prosecution 
has been initiated in this matter, sufficient evidence was presented at the hearing to sustain 
a finding that the underlying wrongful conduct occurred.”  In Attorney Grievance Comm’n 
v. Garland, 345 Md. 383, 395 (1997), this Court stated that “[an] attorney may be 
disciplined for acts which are criminal but do not result in a criminal conviction if Bar 
Counsel proves the underlying conduct at the disciplinary hearing.”  Thus, as discussed 
infra, the hearing judge found that with the misappropriation of funds, Mr. Silbiger also 
17 
 
violated § 10-306 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article.  “A Rule 8.4(b) 
violation occurs when an attorney willfully violates Section 10-306 of the Business 
Occupations and Professions Article, which constitutes a criminal misdemeanor.”  Attorney 
Grievance Comm’n v. Karambelas, 473 Md. 134, 167 (2021) (citations omitted).  We agree 
that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 8.4(b).  
Rule 8.4(c) provides that an attorney who engages in “conduct involving dishonesty, 
fraud, deceit or misrepresentation” commits professional misconduct.  The hearing judge 
concluded that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 8.4(c) by engaging in dishonest conduct, and we 
agree.  The hearing judge stated that there was clear and convincing evidence that Mr. 
Silbiger “exhibited a lack of straightforwardness, probity, and integrity in his conduct[,]” 
and that the misappropriation of client funds was “dishonest and misrepresentative 
behavior.”  See Smith, 443 Md. at 376 (citing Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Thomas, 440 
Md. 523, 555 (2014) (“Attorneys violate [MARPC] 8.4(c) when they . . . conceal material 
information from their clients, even if they have not misrepresented explicitly the 
information.”)).  We agree that, by his omissions, Mr. Silbiger concealed from Ms. Johnson 
that he had misappropriated her settlement funds.  At oral argument, when asked by the 
Court if Ms. Johnson “ever found out what he did,” Mr. Silbiger’s counsel indicated that 
Ms. Johnson likely does not know that Mr. Silbiger “borrowed” her funds, nor did she 
apparently suffer any harm because Mr. Silbiger replaced the funds, making his trust 
account whole.  The fact that Ms. Johnson may still not be aware of Mr. Silbiger’s 
misconduct does not excuse it—to the contrary, the continued omission is troubling.  
18 
 
The hearing judge concluded that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 8.4(d) as contended by 
the Commission.  Under Rule 8.4(d), an attorney commits professional misconduct when 
he “engage[s] in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice[.]”  Mr. Silbiger 
failed to safekeep and maintain client funds in his attorney trust account, commingled 
funds, and paid for personal and business expenses from his trust account.  “We have long 
recognized that the failure to maintain settlement funds intact until disbursed—the 
commingling of personal and client funds—constitutes a violation of [MARPC] 8.4(d).”  
Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Maignan, 390 Md. 287, 297 (2005).  Despite Mr. Silbiger’s 
intent to replenish the funds in a timely manner, the hearing judge found that he violated 
the law and ethical rules, and that his “conduct certainly would negatively impact a member 
of the public’s perception of and trust in the legal profession and the legal system, and, 
therefore, it was prejudicial to the administration of justice.”  In Attorney Grievance 
Comm’n v. Gallagher, 371 Md. 673, 713 (2002), we stated that “[i]f this Court were not to 
sanction respondent severely, other lawyers would not receive appropriate guidance 
regarding the standards to which all should be held and public confidence in the legal 
profession might be greatly diminished.”  We agree with the hearing judge’s conclusion 
that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 8.4(d) by engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the 
administration of justice.   
Attorney Trust Account Record-Keeping (Md. Rule 19-407) 
Rule 19-407 sets forth the requirements by which all attorneys must abide in 
connection with trust-account record keeping, including the creation and maintenance of 
detailed records of all deposits and disbursements of client funds and funds held on behalf 
19 
 
of third persons, records required for each client matter in which the attorney receives funds 
in trust, a monthly reconciliation of attorney trust account records, client matter records, 
funds of the attorney held in the trust account, and record retention requirements.9   
 
The hearing judge concluded, and we agree, that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 19-407 
by his failure to create and maintain accurate records related to his attorney trust account.  
 
9 Rule 19-407 provides as follows:   
 
(a) Creation of Records.  The following records shall be created and 
maintained for the receipt and disbursement of funds of clients or of third 
persons: 
 (1) Attorney Trust Account Identification.  An identification of all 
attorney trust accounts maintained, including the name of the financial 
institution, account number, account name, date the account was opened, 
date the account was closed, and an agreement with the financial institution 
establishing each account and its interest-bearing nature. 
 (2) Deposits and Disbursements.  A record for each account that 
chronologically shows all deposits and disbursements, as follows: 
 (A) for each deposit, a record made at or near the time of the deposit 
that shows (i) the date of the deposit, (ii) the amount, (iii) the identity of the 
client or third person for whom the funds were deposited, and (iv) the purpose 
of the deposit; 
 (B) for each disbursement, including a disbursement made by 
electronic transfer, a record made at or near the time of disbursement that 
shows (i) the date of the disbursement, (ii) the amount, (iii) the payee, (iv) 
the identity of the client or third person for whom the disbursement was made 
(if not the payee), and (v) the purpose of the disbursement; 
 (C) for each disbursement made by electronic transfer, a written 
memorandum authorizing the transaction and identifying the attorney 
responsible for the transaction. 
 (3) Client Matter Records.  A record for each client matter in which 
the attorney receives funds in trust, as follows: 
 (A) for each attorney trust account transaction, a record that shows 
(i) the date of the deposit or disbursement; (ii) the amount of the deposit or 
disbursement; (iii) the purpose for which the funds are intended; (iv) for a 
disbursement, the payee and the check number or other payment 
identification; and (v) the balance of funds remaining in the account in 
connection with the matter; and 
20 
 
Although his client ledgers for Thomas Riddle and Shannon Johnson showed positive 
balances, as of February 15, 2019, his trust account had a negative balance of -$3,985.24.  
He also failed to maintain an accurate record for each account that showed all deposits and 
reimbursements, specifically, the 11 checks, totaling $34,000—made payable to cash—or 
the $35,000 deposit he made to his attorney trust account from his personal funds.  On 
several occasions, Mr. Silbiger’s trust account balance fell below the amount he was 
required to maintain.  The hearing judge noted that while “the bank statements accurately 
reflected the transactions, bank statements are not client records in and of themselves” and 
 
 (B) an identification of the person to whom the unused portion of a 
fee or expense deposit is to be returned whenever it is to be returned to a 
person other than the client. 
 (4) Record of Funds of the Attorney.  A record that identifies the funds 
of the attorney held in each attorney trust account as permitted by Rule 19-
408 (b). 
 
(b) Monthly Reconciliation.  An attorney shall cause to be created a 
monthly reconciliation of all attorney trust account records, client matter 
records, records of funds of the attorney held in an attorney trust account as 
permitted by Rule 19-408 (b), and the adjusted month-end financial 
institution statement balance.  The adjusted month-end financial institution 
statement balance is computed by adding subsequent deposits to and 
subtracting subsequent disbursements from the financial institution’s month-
end statement balance. 
 
(c) Electronic Records.  Whenever the records required by this Rule are 
created or maintained using electronic means, there must be an ability to print 
a paper copy of the records upon a reasonable request to do so. 
 
(d) Records to be Maintained.  Financial institution month-end statements, 
any canceled checks or copies of canceled checks provided with a financial 
institution month-end statement, duplicate deposit slips or deposit receipts 
generated by the financial institution, and records created in accordance with 
section (a) of this Rule shall be maintained for a period of at least five years 
after the date the record was created. 
21 
 
therefore, they did not meet the requirements of the rule.  Additionally, Mr. Silbiger’s 
“personal recordkeeping was not in compliance.”10  Although the hearing judge credited 
Mr. Silbiger’s testimony that he tracked the amount he needed to pay back and never 
intended to permanently deprive anyone of their funds, the hearing judge concluded, and 
we agree, that Mr. Silbiger’s intention to repay the client funds does not negate the violation 
of Rule 19-407.   
Commingling of Funds (19-408) 
 
Rule 19-408(a) provides that an “attorney . . . may deposit in an attorney trust 
account only those funds required to be deposited in that account by Rule 19-404 or 
permitted to be so deposited by section (b) of this Rule.”  Mr. Silbiger admitted to having 
used his own funds to replace misappropriated funds from his trust account.  The hearing 
judge concluded that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 19-408 by commingling his personal funds 
with client funds to replace misappropriated fund from his attorney trust account.  We 
agree. 
Prohibited Transactions (19-410) 
Rule 19-410 provides:  
(a) 
Generally.  An attorney or law firm may not borrow or pledge any 
funds required by the Rules in this Chapter to be deposited in an attorney trust 
account, obtain any remuneration from the financial institution for depositing 
any funds in the account, or use any funds for any unauthorized purpose. 
 
 
10 Mr. Silbiger testified that “[I] never had an intention to [permanently deprive 
anyone of their property.]  In fact, I kept a yellow sheet that I carried with me all the time 
as to how much I had to pay back.  And that kept me—that part kept me awake at night.  
And that sheet was always with me, knowing what I had to pay back.  And I eventually did 
pay all of it back.”   
22 
 
(b) 
No Cash Disbursements.  An instrument drawn on an attorney trust 
account may not be drawn payable to cash or to bearer, and no cash withdrawal 
may be made from an automated teller machine or by any other method.  All 
disbursements from an attorney trust account shall be made by check or 
electronic transfer. 
 
(c) 
Negative Balance Prohibited.  No funds from an attorney trust 
account shall be disbursed if the disbursement would create a negative balance 
with regard to an individual client matter or all client matters in the aggregate. 
 
 
Mr. Silbiger admitted to misappropriating Ms. Johnson’s funds without her 
knowledge or authorization; using the funds for unauthorized purposes; writing 11 checks—
made payable to cash—which totaled $34,000; making a cash withdrawal in the amount of 
$36,666 from his attorney trust account; and on several occasions, allowing his trust account 
balance to fall below the amount he was required to maintain for his clients.  Thus, the 
hearing judge concluded, and we agree that Mr. Silbiger violated Rule 19-410.   
Maryland Code, Business Occupations & Professions, § 10-306 
 
Section 10-306 of the Md. Code, Business Occupations & Professions Article 
(“BOP”) provides that “[a] lawyer may not use trust money for any purpose other than 
the purpose for which the trust money is entrusted to the lawyer.”  “One who willfully 
violates Section 10-306 is guilty of a misdemeanor . . . [a]s such, a willful violation of 
Section 10-306 necessarily violates Rule 8.4(b) (prohibiting the commission of a criminal 
act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s trustworthiness).”  Karambelas, 473 Md. at 
170 (citations omitted).  We agree with the hearing judge’s conclusion that Mr. Silbiger 
violated BOP §10-306 when he used money from his trust account, and knowingly and 
intentionally misappropriated settlement funds belonging to Ms. Johnson and Mr. 
23 
 
Tannen, for purposes other than that which they were entrusted to him and did so without 
Ms. Johnson’s knowledge or consent.   
III 
Sanction 
 
Bar Counsel recommends that Mr. Silbiger be disbarred from the practice of law.  
In support of this recommendation, Bar Counsel cites to Mr. Silbiger’s multiple violations 
of the MARPC and this Court’s well-established case law, which sets forth that when an 
attorney engages in knowing and intentional conduct that involves the misappropriation of 
funds, disbarment is warranted.  Mr. Silbiger, however, asserts that this case “has always 
been about mitigation and the appropriate sanction.”  Although Mr. Silbiger acknowledges 
the serious nature of his misconduct, he argues that disbarment is not warranted in his case, 
because he contends that the substantial number of mitigating factors outweigh the 
aggravating factors.  During oral argument, counsel for Mr. Silbiger requested that this 
Court impose a sanction of less than disbarment and indicated that the more appropriate 
sanction was a definite six-month suspension.   
 
As we have repeated numerous times, when this Court determines a sanction in an 
attorney discipline case, we do so with the primary purpose of protecting the public and 
deterring future misconduct rather than to punish the attorney.  In evaluating each attorney 
grievance matter to determine the sanction to be imposed, “we typically consult the list of 
aggravating and mitigating factors developed by the American Bar Association.” Attorney 
Grievance Comm’n v. Ibebuchi, 471 Md. 286, 309 (2020).  Neither party filed any exceptions 
24 
 
to the hearing judge’s findings with respect to the aggravating and mitigating factors 
established by the evidence.  
A. 
Aggravating Factors11 
 
The hearing judge found clear and convincing evidence of four aggravating 
factors: (1) dishonest or selfish motive; (2) a pattern of misconduct; (3) multiple 
violations of the MARPC; and (4) substantial experience in the practice of law.  We agree 
with the hearing judge that these aggravating factors were established.  Mr. Silbiger 
demonstrated a dishonest or selfish motive when he intentionally misappropriated client 
funds and used them to pay personal and business expenses.  Mr. Silbiger acknowledged 
that he had access to funds through his ownership in the marina12 but was too proud to 
admit to his business partner in the marina venture that he was having financial 
 
11 We have recognized the following aggravating factors when considering the 
imposition of sanctions: 
  
(1) prior attorney discipline; (2) a dishonest or selfish motive; (3) a pattern 
of misconduct; (4) multiple violations of the [MARPC]; (5) bad faith 
obstruction of the attorney discipline proceeding by intentionally failing to 
comply with the Maryland Rules or orders of this Court or the hearing judge; 
(6) submission of false evidence, false statements, or other deceptive 
practices during the attorney discipline proceeding; (7) a refusal to 
acknowledge the misconduct’s wrongful nature; (8) the victim’s 
vulnerability; (9) substantial experience in the practice of law; (10) 
indifference to making restitution or rectifying the misconduct’s 
consequences; (11) illegal conduct, including that involving the use of 
controlled substances; and (12) likelihood of repetition of the misconduct. 
 
Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Sperling, 459 Md. 194, 275 (2018) (citation omitted). 
 
12 Mr. Silbiger testified that he had a fifty-percent ownership interest in the marina 
and that there was “an abundance of cash in the account.” 
25 
 
difficulties at his law firm.  Rather than admit his financial difficulties to his marina 
business partner, Mr. Silbiger misappropriated Ms. Johnson’s funds from his attorney 
trust account.  Additionally, we agree that Mr. Silbiger displayed a pattern of misconduct 
related to his attorney trust account and safekeeping of funds.  He misappropriated client 
funds, made several prohibited cash disbursements from his attorney trust account, 
commingled funds with client funds, paid personal expenses directly from his attorney 
trust account, and maintained negative client balances.  These actions resulted in multiple 
rule violations.  We also agree with the hearing judge’s conclusion that Mr. Silbiger had 
substantial experience in the practice of law.   
B. 
Mitigating Factors13 
 
With respect to mitigating factors, the hearing judge found that Mr. Silbiger 
established the presence of the following mitigating factors by a preponderance of the 
 
13 This Court has recognized the following mitigating factors when considering the 
imposition of sanctions:   
 
(1) the absence of prior attorney discipline; (2) the absence of a dishonest or 
selfish motive; (3) personal or emotional problems; (4) timely good faith 
efforts to make restitution or to rectify the misconduct’s consequences; (5) 
full and free disclosure to the Commission or a cooperative attitude toward 
the attorney discipline proceeding; (6) inexperience in the practice of law; 
(7) character or reputation; (8) a physical disability; (9) a mental disability or 
chemical dependency, including alcoholism or drug abuse, where: (a) there 
is medical evidence that the lawyer is affected by a chemical dependency or 
mental disability, (b) the chemical dependency or mental disability caused 
the misconduct, (c) the lawyer’s recovery from the chemical dependency or 
mental disability is demonstrated by a meaningful and sustained period of 
successful rehabilitation, and (d) the recovery arrested the misconduct, and 
the misconduct’s recurrence is unlikely; (10) delay in the attorney discipline 
proceeding; (11) the imposition of other penalties or sanctions; (12) remorse; 
26 
 
evidence: (1) the absence of a prior disciplinary record; (2) timely good faith efforts to 
rectify the consequences of his misconduct; (3) a good reputation in the legal community; 
(4) genuine remorse for his conduct; (5) full and free disclosure to the Commission or a 
cooperative attitude toward the attorney discipline proceeding14; and (6) unlikelihood of 
repetition of the misconduct.15 
 
The hearing judge commented on the compelling testimony of Mr. Silbiger’s 
character witnesses, who testified to his “unblemished record and reputation as an 
otherwise competent, careful attorney who is always attentive to and respectful of others 
and with an excellent reputation as an ethical practitioner with this subject episode being 
the only black mark against him in over 50 years of practice.”  The hearing judge also 
observed that Mr. Silbiger “consistently and candidly took full and knowing responsibility 
for his actions,” and “was very forthright from the outset . . . never affirmatively denying 
these violations, but acknowledging his guilty conduct, shame, and embarrassment.”   
 
(13) remoteness of prior violations of the [MARPC]; and (14) unlikelihood 
of repetition of the misconduct. 
 
Sperling, 459 Md. at 277–78 (citation omitted).   
14 The hearing judge noted that Mr. Silbiger adequately made a full and free disclosure 
to Bar Counsel’s request for documents, albeit delayed, when he made a partial response to 
the first inquiry regarding the deposit made to the wrong account, and then, following the 
second request made full disclosure without providing excuses or “prevarication” for the 
delay.  The hearing judge further stated that Mr. Silbiger “demonstrated overall, at least, an 
adequately cooperative attitude toward [Bar Counsel] and the attorney discipline process.” 
 
15 The hearing judge found Mr. Silbiger’s testimony concerning his remorse to be 
“very worthy of belief and acceptance[,]” and commented on the “shame and 
embarrassment [Mr. Silbiger] experienced[.]” 
27 
 
 
In addition to paying back the funds that he misappropriated from his trust account, 
the hearing judge found credible Mr. Silbiger’s testimony that he did not intend to 
permanently deprive the client and third party of the funds.  The hearing judge stated that 
Mr. Silbiger’s intent to repay the funds is “bolstered by the fact that on January 29, 2019, 
[Mr. Silbiger] deposited $35,000 of his own funds into this attorney trust account,” despite 
recognizing that repaying the client funds from his personal funds was another violation of 
the professional rules.   
 
In his consideration of the mitigating factors, the hearing judge observed that Mr. 
Silbiger 
[a]cknowledged that he had relatively easy access to funds from an 
investment with a partner in a marina in Anne Arundel County, which 
eventually sold for $7.5 million shortly after these misappropriations, which 
he could have used to meet the then unpaid expenses of his law practice, but 
instead was too proud and embarrassed to ask for that money from his 
investment partner.  [Mr. Silbiger] further indicated that his knowing 
misappropriation was only temporary, that he kept track of the wrongful 
disbursements on a yellow legal pad, and that it was always his intent to 
replenish these trust monies timely so that neither the client nor any of the 
related lienholders suffered any delays or losses in receiving the funds, which 
in fact did occur before the Petitioner’s involvement herein.   
 
C. Imposition of Sanction 
As we consider the aggravating and mitigating circumstances in connection with 
the imposition of a sanction, we begin with the notion that in cases involving intentional 
dishonesty, disbarment is ordinarily warranted.  Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Bonner, 
477 Md. 576, 621 (2022) (collecting cases).  In two recent cases, we conducted a survey 
of the sanctions that this Court has imposed in the two decades since this Court decided 
Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Vanderlinde, 364 Md. 376 (2001)—the seminal case that 
28 
 
established the standard for determining the sanction in cases involving dishonest 
conduct.16  See Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Collins, 477 Md. 482 (2022) and Bonner, 
477 Md. 576. 
In Collins, we examined our sanctions jurisprudence involving intentional 
dishonesty since Vanderlinde, noting multiple instances in which we imposed a sanction 
less than disbarment, despite the absence of compelling extenuating circumstances that 
were determined to be the “root cause” of the misconduct at issue, which would thereby 
justify the imposition of a lesser sanction.  Collins, 477 Md. at 518–30.17  Based upon our 
survey of cases, we observed that 
 
16 In Attorney Grievance Commission v. Vanderlinde, 364 Md. 376, 413–14 (2001), 
we stated that: 
 
in cases of intentional dishonesty, misappropriation cases, fraud, stealing, 
serious criminal conduct and the like, we will not accept as “compelling 
extenuating circumstances,” anything less than the most serious and utterly 
debilitating mental or physical health conditions, arising from any source that 
is the “root cause” of the misconduct and that also result in an attorney’s utter 
inability to conform his or her conduct in accordance with the law and with 
the [MARPC].  Only if the circumstances are that compelling, will we even 
consider imposing less than the most severe sanction of disbarment in cases 
of stealing, dishonesty, fraudulent conduct, the intentional misappropriation 
of funds or other serious criminal conduct, whether occurring in the practice 
of law, or otherwise. 
 
(Emphasis in original).  
 
17 Cases involving intentional dishonesty in which a sanction less than disbarment 
was imposed (and where the Vanderlinde “compelling extenuating circumstances” were 
not established) include Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Johnson, 472 Md. 491 (2021) 
(imposing a sentence of indefinite suspension, with the right to reapply after one year, where 
an attorney’s nephew, a non-attorney employee, misappropriated client’s funds from the 
attorney trust account, and after discovering the employee’s theft, the attorney acted in a 
deceitful manner by “lying to his clients to prolong the time in which he had to remit their 
29 
 
[w]hat can be gleaned from the sanctions imposed in cases involving 
intentional dishonesty post-Vanderlinde in recent years, is that, increasingly, 
we have not imposed the sanction of disbarment where the dishonest conduct 
at issue does not involve theft, fraud, harm to a client or third party, or the 
intentional misappropriation of funds.  We have on multiple occasions 
imposed a sanction less than disbarment in cases involving intentional 
 
settlement funds[ ]”); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Riely, 471 Md. 458 (2020) (imposing a 
sanction of indefinite suspension, with the right to apply for reinstatement no sooner than one 
year, where the attorney made a false statement to a government agency at a meeting during 
the course of representing a client, misled a client about the efforts made on her behalf in a 
case, and made false statements to Bar Counsel in a letter about the case); Attorney Grievance 
Comm’n v. Keating, 471 Md. 614 (2020) (imposing a sanction of indefinite suspension, with 
the right to apply for reinstatement in six months, where the attorney submitted a will to the 
Register of Wills which she falsely represented that she had witnessed (when in fact she signed 
the will after her client’s death, in an effort to carry out her client’s wishes)); Attorney 
Grievance Comm’n v. Singh, 464 Md. 645 (2019) (imposing a sanction of sixty days’ 
suspension where the attorney falsely testified at a deposition during Bar Counsel’s 
investigation that his practice was to deposit a client’s filing fees into a trust account instead 
of his operating account, where the fees remained until he paid the filing fee); Attorney 
Grievance Comm’n v. Hecht, 459 Md. 133 (2018) (imposing a sanction of indefinite 
suspension, with the right to petition for reinstatement after twelve months where the attorney 
undertook representation of a client during a period when he was suspended, made 
misrepresentations to his client about his suspension, and made misrepresentations to Bar 
Counsel during the investigation); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Steinhorn, 462 Md. 184 
(2018) (imposing a sanction of indefinite suspension with the right to apply for reinstatement 
after six months where the attorney knowingly included false information in complaint forms 
filed in a trial court by lumping together an amount of an underlying debt and attorney’s fees 
and representing the total as the underlying debt in an effort to conceal that he was collecting 
attorney’s fees); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Sperling & Sperling, 459 Md. 194 (2018) 
(imposing a sanction of ninety days’ suspension where attorney failed to safeguard funds in an 
attorney trust account and failed to supervise his brother—a suspended attorney whose 
sanction of indefinite suspension was continued as a result of this case—who remained a 
signatory on the attorney trust account and continued to write checks on the account); Attorney 
Grievance Comm’n v. Shapiro, 441 Md. 367 (2015) (imposing a sanction of indefinite 
suspension where the attorney concealed from a client the status of a malpractice case for five 
years and made direct misrepresentations to the client leading her to believe that the case was 
active); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Brigerman, 441 Md. 23 (2014) (imposing a sanction 
of indefinite suspension where the attorney misrepresented to his client and Bar Counsel 
that he would promptly return the client’s file to the client); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. 
Sperling, 432 Md. 471 (2013) (imposing a sanction of indefinite suspension where the attorney 
made material misrepresentations to the trial court in his representation of clients in an attempt 
to mislead the court into reopening his client’s case). 
30 
 
dishonest conduct where there was no theft or intentional misappropriation 
of funds by the attorney, the attorney had not benefitted or profited from the 
misconduct, and no client had been harmed.  Going forward, it is clear that 
cases involving dishonesty and knowingly made false statements will be 
assessed on an individual basis to determine whether the misconduct at issue 
gives rise to deployment of the standard set forth in Vanderlinde, namely, 
whether compelling extenuating circumstances that are the “root cause” of 
the misconduct are required to warrant a sanction less than disbarment. 
 
Collins, 477 Md. at 530. 
 
In Bonner, we made an additional observation concerning cases in which 
“disbarment” was the appropriate sanction, as opposed to the “non-disbarment” cases 
involving intentional dishonesty.  477 Md. at 622.  Specifically, we pointed out that, 
“although these ‘non-disbarment’ cases involve intentional dishonest conduct, they have a 
common nexus—specifically, there was no theft or intentional misappropriation of funds 
by the attorney, and the attorney did not benefit or profit from the misconduct.”  Id.  Indeed, 
in the more than 20 years since our decision in Vanderlinde, there do not appear to be any 
cases in which this Court, in the exercise of its original jurisdiction,18 imposed a sanction 
less than disbarment where the intentional dishonesty involved misappropriation of funds 
or theft.  See, e.g., Bonner, 477 Md. at 627 (disbarment was the appropriate sanction where 
the attorney misappropriated funds, engaged in elaborate lies to his partners, and created 
false calendar and false time entries to hide his actions); Vanderlinde, 364 Md. 376, 
 
18 In Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Bonner, 477 Md. 576, 623 n.19 (2022), we 
distinguished two cases which involved the imposition of reciprocal discipline involving 
intentional dishonesty where we imposed a sanction less than disbarment.  See Attorney 
Grievance Comm’n v. Burghardt, 442 Md. 151 (2015) and Attorney Grievance Comm’n 
v. Stillwell, 434 Md. 248 (2013).  Neither of these cases involved misappropriation from 
an attorney trust account.   
31 
 
(underlying misconduct involved theft of funds from an employer); Attorney Grievance 
Comm’n v. Levin, 438 Md. 211 (2014) (disbarring attorney who misrepresented his 
caseload and anticipated fees to his employer by creating fictitious clients and paperwork 
in order to obtain additional salary); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Vanderslice, 435 Md. 
295 (2013) (rejecting the imposition of reciprocal discipline of a one-year suspension in 
favor of disbarment where the attorney intentionally committed theft eight times over a 
period of ten months); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Carithers, 421 Md. 28 (2011) 
(disbarring attorney for conduct including misappropriation of attorney’s fees owed to his 
law firm); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Weiss, 389 Md. 531 (2005) (declining to impose 
reciprocal discipline of suspension, in favor of disbarment, where attorney misappropriated 
funds from his law firm in the District of Columbia); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. 
Vlahos, 369 Md. 183 (2002) (disbarment was the appropriate sanction where attorney 
misappropriated funds belonging to his law firm over a period of approximately one and 
one-half years); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Spery, 371 Md. 560 (2002) (disbarment 
was the appropriate sanction where an attorney misappropriated $47,821.16 from his real 
estate partnership over a period of five years and made misrepresentations to his partners 
to conceal the theft).   
To support his argument that we should impose a sanction less than disbarment here, 
Mr. Silbiger points out that in Collins, we acknowledged that disbarment is not always 
warranted even where the Vanderlinde standard is not satisfied.  Collins, 477 Md. at 530.  
Moreover, he notes that we reiterated that we do not apply a “bright-line rule and will look 
at the individual facts and circumstances of the particular case[]” in determining the 
32 
 
appropriate sanction.  Bonner, 477 Md. at 621.  To justify a lesser sanction here, Mr. 
Silbiger points to the considerable mitigating circumstances that were established.   
Mr. Silbiger is correct that we will not always impose a sanction of disbarment for 
intentional dishonesty in the absence of the Vanderlinde standard.  He is also correct that 
this Court has stated that intentional misconduct does not result in the imposition of a 
bright-line rule in which we always impose a sanction of disbarment.  In other words, when 
imposing a sanction, we consider the individual facts and circumstances of each particular 
case—including the nature of the specific ethical rule or rules that have been violated, as 
well as the aggravating and mitigating factors established.  That said, as we noted above, 
in the decades since our pronouncement of the Vanderlinde standard, we have not imposed 
a sanction less than disbarment where the underlying conduct involves theft or 
misappropriation of funds, and we decline to do so here.  Our unwillingness to impose a 
sanction less than disbarment here is not based upon the application of a bright-line rule, 
and we have carefully considered the presence of the aggravating and mitigating 
circumstances established.  Some of the most difficult attorney discipline cases for this 
Court are those in which the attorney, like Mr. Silbiger, has had a long and distinguished 
career.  We have considered the credible testimony of the character witnesses who, to quote 
the hearing judge, all attested to Mr. Silbiger’s “unblemished record and reputation as an 
otherwise competent, careful attorney who is always attentive to and respectful of others 
and with an excellent reputation as an ethical practitioner with this subject episode being 
the only black mark against him in over 50 years of practice.”  We have considered Mr. 
Silbiger’s reputation, the genuine remorse found by the hearing judge, the candor and 
33 
 
responsibility that he has taken, and the fact that no clients were harmed by his actions—
which in essence, amount to taking a short term, interest-free loan from the client without 
her knowledge or consent.  However, we cannot ignore that Mr. Silbiger violated one of 
the most sacred obligations of an attorney.  “It has been our long-held and consistent 
position that the entrustment to attorneys of the money and property of others involves a 
responsibility of the highest order” and that “appropriating any part of those funds to their 
own use and benefit without clear authority to do so cannot be tolerated.”  Attorney 
Grievance Comm’n v. Jones, 428 Md. 457, 469 (2012) (cleaned up).  Our imposition of a 
particular sanction demonstrates to members of the legal profession the type of conduct 
that will not be tolerated.  Gallagher, 371 Md. at 714 (citations omitted).  It also ensures 
that the public has confidence in the legal profession.  Jones, 428 Md. at 468.  Under the 
circumstances presented in this case, Mr. Silbiger knew that his conduct was wrong, and 
admits that he had other funds at his disposal that could have covered the expenses of his 
law firm.  Instead of tapping into those funds (which would have caused him personal 
embarrassment with his partner in his marina venture), he took funds from his trust account 
to cover expenses without his client’s knowledge and consent.  We cannot minimize or 
excuse the misconduct simply because his client was not harmed and may have never even 
known that it occurred.  To impose a sanction less than disbarment simply on that basis 
would send a message to both the public and the legal profession that this Court subscribes 
to the adage that “it’s better to be lucky than good” when it comes to wrongfully borrowing 
funds from an attorney’s trust account.  As the Court noted in its questions during oral 
34 
 
argument, the client could have been harmed.  We do not find that Mr. Silbiger’s significant 
mitigating factors justify imposing a sanction less than disbarment here.   
IT IS SO ORDERED; RESPONDENT 
SHALL PAY ALL COSTS AS TAXED BY 
THE 
CLERK 
OF 
THIS 
COURT, 
INCLUDING 
COSTS 
OF 
ALL 
TRANSCRIPTS, 
PURSUANT 
TO 
MARYLAND 
RULE 
19-709(d), 
FOR 
WHICH SUM JUDGMENT IS ENTERED 
IN 
FAVOR 
OF 
THE 
ATTORNEY 
GRIEVANCE COMMISSION AGAINST 
CLIFFORD BAER SILBIGER. 
 
Judge Harrell joins in the judgment only.