Case Title: Attorney Grievance v. McCulloch

Citation: 404 Md. 388

Docket Number: 3ag/07

State: maryland

Court: Maryland Supreme Court

Date: 2008-04-21T00:00:00Z

Document:
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
OF MARYLAND
Misc. Docket (Subtitle AG)
No. 3
September Term, 2007
ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION
OF MARYLAND
v. 
CAROL LONG McCULLOCH
     
                     Bell, C.J.
         Raker
         Harrell
Battaglia
Greene
Wilner, Alan M. (Retired,        
                      Specially Assigned)
Cathell, Dale R. (Retired,         
                      Specially  Assigned),                
            
JJ.
Opinion by Bell, C.J.
Filed: April 21, 2008
1Maryland Rule 16-751, as relevant, provides:
“(a)  Commencement of disciplinary or remedial action. (1) Upon approval 
of the Commission.  Upon approval or direction of the Commission, Bar Counsel
shall file a Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial Action in the Court of Appeals.”
2Rule 1.1 provides:
“A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client.   Competent
representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and
preparation reasonably necessary for the representation.”
Bar counsel, acting on behalf, and with the approval, of the petitioner, the Attorney
Grievance Commission of Maryland, filed in this Court, pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-751,1
a Petition For Disciplinary or Remedial Action, in which, consistent with complaints filed
by Bar Counsel and one of her divorce clients, the respondent, Carol Long McCulloch, was
charged with violations (some multiple) of various of the Maryland Rules of Professional
Conduct, as adopted by Maryland Rule 16-812, namely, Rules 1.1, Competence,2 1.2, Scope
3Rule 1.2 provides, as relevant:
“(a) Subject to paragraphs (c) and (d), a lawyer shall abide by a client's
decisions concerning the objectives of the representation and, when
appropriate, shall consult with the client as to the means by which they are
to be pursued. A lawyer may take such action on behalf of the client as is
impliedly authorized to carry out the representation. A lawyer shall abide by
a client's decision whether to settle a matter. In a criminal case, the lawyer
shall abide by the client's decision, after consultation with the lawyer, as to
a plea to be entered, whether to waive jury trial and whether the client will
testify.”
4Pursuant to that Rule “[a] lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and
promptness in representing a client.”
5Rule 1.4 provides:
“(a) A lawyer shall keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a
matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.
“(b) A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to
permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation.”
6Maryland Rule 1.15 provides, in pertinent part:
“(a) A lawyer shall hold property of clients or third persons that is in a
lawyer's possession in connection with a representation separate from the
lawyer's own property. Funds shall be kept in a separate account maintained
pursuant to Title 16, Chapter 600 of the Maryland Rules. Other property
shall be identified as such and appropriately safeguarded. Complete records
of such account funds and of other property shall be kept by the lawyer and
shall be preserved for a period of five years after termination of the
representation.
“(b) A lawyer may deposit the lawyer's own funds in a client trust account
for the sole purpose of paying bank service charges on that account, but
only in an amount necessary for the purpose.
“(c) Unless the client gives informed consent, confirmed in writing, to a
different arrangement, a lawyer shall deposit into a client trust account legal
fees and expenses that have been paid in advance, to be withdrawn by the
lawyer only as fees are earned or expenses incurred.”
-2-
of  Representation,31.3, Diligence,4 1.4, Communication,5 1.15, Safekeeping Property,6 1.16,
7As relevant, Rule 1.16 provides:
*     *     *     *
“(d) Upon termination of representation, a lawyer shall take steps to the
extent reasonably practicable to protect a client’s interests, such as giving
reasonable notice to the client, allowing time for employment of other
counsel, surrendering papers and property to which the client is entitled and
refunding any advance payment of fee that has not been earned.   The
lawyer may retain papers relating to the client to the extent permitted by
other law.”
8Rule 3.4 provides:
“A lawyer shall not:
*     *     *     *
“(c )   Knowingly disobey an obligation under the rules of a tribunal except for
an open refusal based on an assertion that no valid obligation exists. ...” 
9Pertinently, Rule 8.1 provides:
“An applicant for admission or reinstatement to the bar, or a lawyer in
connection with a bar admission application or in connection with a
disciplinary matter, shall not:
*     *     *     *
“(b) 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 an admissions or disciplinary authority,
except that this Rule does not require disclosure of information otherwise
protected by Rule 1.6.”
10Rule 8.4, as relevant, provides:
“It is professional  misconduct for  a lawyer to: 
“(a)   Violate or attempt to violate the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of
Professional Conduct, knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or do so
through the acts of another;
                                                          *     *     *     *
 “(d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.”
              *     *     *     *
-3-
Declining or Terminating Representation,7 3.4, Fairness to Opposing Party and Counsel,8 8.1,
Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters,9 8.4, Misconduct,10 Maryland Rule 16-604, Trust
11Maryland Rule 16-604 provides:
“Except as otherwise permitted by rule or other law, all funds, including
cash, received and accepted by an attorney or law firm in this State from a
client or third person to be delivered in whole or in part to a client or third
person, unless received as payment of fees owed the attorney by the client
or in reimbursement for expenses properly advanced on behalf of the client,
shall be deposited in an attorney trust account in an approved financial
institution. This Rule does not apply to an instrument received by an
attorney or law firm that is made payable solely to a client or third person
and is transmitted directly to the client or third person.”
12Maryland Code (1989, 2004 Repl. Vol.) § 10-304 of the Business Occupations
and professions Article provides:
“(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a lawyer
expeditiously shall deposit trust money into an attorney trust account.
“(b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply if there is a court order to
the contrary.
“(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section or any other law, a
lawyer may disburse, at settlement in a real estate transaction, trust money
that the lawyer receives in the transaction.”
13Rule 16-752 (a) provides:
“(a)  Order. Upon the filing of a Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial
Action, the Court of Appeals may enter an order designating a judge of any
circuit court to hear the action and the clerk responsible for maintaining the
record. The order of designation shall require the judge, after consultation
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Account- Required Deposits.11    The petition also alleged that the respondent violated
Maryland Code ( 1989, 2004 Repl. Vol. ) § 10-304, Deposit of Trust Money12 of the Business
Occupations and Professions Article.   
We referred the case, pursuant to Rule 16-752 (a), 13 to the Honorable Michael M.
with Bar Counsel and the attorney, to enter a scheduling order defining the
extent of discovery and setting dates for the completion of discovery, filing
of motions, and hearing.”  
14Maryland Rule 16-757 (c) provides:
“(c)  Findings and conclusions. The judge shall prepare and file or dictate
into the record a statement of the judge's findings of fact, including findings
as to any evidence regarding remedial action, and conclusions of law. If
dictated into the record, the statement shall be promptly transcribed. Unless
the time is extended by the Court of Appeals, the written or transcribed
statement shall be filed with the clerk responsible for the record no later
than 45 days after the conclusion of the hearing. The clerk shall mail a copy
of the statement to each party.” 
-5-
Galloway, of the Circuit Court for Carroll County, for hearing pursuant to Rule 16-757 (c).14
The respondent did not answer the petition and, therefore, an Order of Default was entered
against her.   When she did not move to vacate the Order of Default, a default hearing, at
which the respondent neither appeared nor participated was held, after which  the court found
facts  by clear and convincing evidence and drew conclusions of law.
As to Bar Counsel’s complaint, the hearing court found the following facts:
One day after filing a Petition For Modification of Custody, on behalf of her client,
the respondent filed a Petition For Ex Parte Relief, alleging that the custodial parent intended
to expose the minor child to drug dealers and stating that she and her client would appear ex
parte in court on the following Monday for the purpose of seeking sole legal custody, both
pendente lite and permanently, of the couple’s son.   Although the respondent wrote to the
defendant advising her of the filing of the petition for ex parte relief and the date, time and
presiding judge, she neglected to enclose copies of the court filings, and, contrary to what
-6-
was said in the letter, no hearing had at that time been set before the judge named. 
Responding to the respondent’s letter, the defendant obtained counsel and appeared with the
respondent and her client at the time, and in the court, designated.   The judge who heard the
matter, who also happened to be the judge the respondent named in her petition, denied the
ex parte relief and, instead, directed, by order, that “the matter proceed in a normal, timely
fashion.”    Pointing to “the procedures employed by the Plaintiff and her counsel and the
legal costs foreseeably imposed upon the Defendant by the Plaintiff’s actions,” the judge
assessed attorney’s fees, in an amount to be determined after the defendant’s request for fees
and the respondent’s answer, against the respondent and her client, jointly and severally.
The respondent did not respond to the defendant’s request for counsel fees.   As a
result, the judge ordered the respondent, and expressly not her client, to pay the defendant
counsel fees of $750.00.   The fees were to be reimbursed in thirty (30) days.   When the
respondent did not pay within thirty (30) days, the defendant filed a petition for contempt.
Although the respondent did not respond to the petition and judgment was entered against
the respondent for $750.00, an order of satisfaction of the judgment was subsequently filed.
The petitioner, by letter, sought an explanation from the respondent with respect to
the court’s order of counsel fees and the reason that the respondent did not timely comply
with that order.   The respondent failed to respond in the time requested, prompting a second
letter from the petitioner.   This letter was returned unclaimed.   When the petitioner’s
investigator spoke to the respondent about the matter, she indicated that she had responded
15The respondent explained that her office had had flooding, which explained the
reason she had to locate the file.
-7-
and, having been informed that it had not been received, that, she would locate15 and forward
another copy of the response.  This was never done.   
As to the complaint of Gladys Bellamy, one of the respondent’s former clients, the
court found:
The respondent agreed to represent the complainant in divorce proceedings against
her husband, who resided in California.   They entered into a retainer agreement, which
called for a flat fee of $ 750.00 and the payment of the $ 120.00 filing fee.  That filing fee
and the fee were paid over time, according to the complainant, “she paid respondent . . . in
six $ 100.00 payments and a final payment of $ 150.00 on September 30, 2005.”
After the retainer had begun to be paid, but before it was completed, the respondent
filed, in the Circuit Court for Carroll County, a Complaint for Absolute Divorce on the
complainant’s behalf and caused a summons to be issued.    When that summons and the
complaint, which were served by certified mail, were not picked up by the complainant’s
husband, the respondent informed the complainant that she would try to serve him once again
by “registered mail.”   After more than a month had passed, the complainant e-mailed the
respondent at the e-mail address at which she previously had e-mailed the respondent, but
that e-mail was returned as undeliverable.  Subsequently, the court, pursuant to the
respondent’s request, reissued the summons for the complainant’s husband.  Thereafter,
16Maryland Rule 2-507, as relevant, provided:
“(b) For Lack of Jurisdiction. An action against any defendant who has not
been served or over whom the court has not otherwise acquired jurisdiction
is subject to dismissal as to that defendant at the expiration of 120 days
from the issuance of original process directed to that defendant.
“(c) For Lack of Prosecution. An action is subject to dismissal for lack of
prosecution at the expiration of one year from the last docket entry, other than an
entry made under this Rule, Rule 2-131, or Rule 2-132, except that an action for
limited divorce or for permanent alimony is subject to dismissal under this
section only after two years from the last such docket entry.
“(d) Notification of Contemplated Dismissal. When an action is subject to
dismissal pursuant to this Rule, the clerk, upon written request of a party or
upon the clerk's own initiative, shall serve a notice on all parties pursuant to
Rule 1-321 that an order of dismissal for lack of jurisdiction or prosecution
will be entered after the expiration of 30 days unless a motion is filed under
section (e) of this Rule.”
-8-
before filing a complaint with the petitioner, the complainant sought to contact the
respondent at her home, without success, even though automobiles were in the driveway.
In an attempt to get the respondent’s response to the complaint, Bar Counsel sent a
letter to the respondent, enclosing the complaint, and asking that she respond in fifteen (15)
days.   When the respondent did not timely respond, Bar Counsel sent another letter, this time
by certified mail, requesting response by ten (10) days.   That letter was returned unclaimed.
  A third letter, again by certified mail, was mailed to the respondent. The respondent
acknowledged receipt of the letter, by signing the return receipt card.   The respondent
however did not respond to the third letter either.  
The complainant’s divorce action was dismissed following the respondent’s failure
to take any action in response to the Notice of Contemplated Dismissal, pursuant to Maryland
Rule 2-507.16   The respondent did not inform the complainant of the dismissal of her case.
-9-
 But the respondent had not communicated with the complainant since November 2005.   Nor
did the respondent refund to the complainant any of the retainer or give her an explanation
as to why she did not.    In an interview with the petitioner’s investigator, the respondent
explained that she had not placed any of the complainant’s retainer in escrow “because she
had charged a flat fee.”   Moreover, she told the investigator that she believed that she had
sent a response to the complaint and, having learned that one had not been received,
promised that she would locate one - made necessary by flooding in her office - and mail it
to the petitioner.  No response was ever sent.
On these findings of fact, the hearing court drew conclusions of law.  As the Bar
Counsel’s Complaint, it concluded:
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 1.1. 
“Respondent’s actions show a lack of the legal knowledge, as required by Rule 1.1,
to obtain a hearing on an emergency basis.   It is apparent that she did not consult Rule 1-351,
which provided that she certify that all parties had been given notice of the time and place
of her presentation of her application.   She was also seemingly unaware of the requirement
of Rule 2-311 (d) that a motion based on facts not in the record be supported by an affidavit
setting forth the necessary acts under oath and advised the opposing party that the request
would be heard at a particular time.   As a result of her failure to comply with the Rules, she
subjected her client to a motion for counsel fees.   Her conduct displays a lack of competence
-10-
in violation of Rule 1.1.
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 8.1 (b).
“The evidence shoes that respondent ignored letters from petitioner dated April 28,
2006 and May 11, 2006.   There can be no question that she received them, as she told
petitioner’s investigator on October 2, 2006 that she believed that she had mailed in an
answer to both of the complaints that are the subject of this litigation.   However, no answer
was ever received.
“Respondent’s conduct violates 8.4 (d).
“Respondent violated Rule 8.4 (d) both for the reasons stated in the discussion of Rule
1.1 and also by failing to pay the $750.00 judgment entered against her within 30 days as
required by the court’s order of February 13, 2006.    While her interview would indicate that
she may have been under financial distress, she made no representations to this effect in
response to the contempt petition filed by Ms. Hamilton, in a written submission to Bar
Counsel, or in this proceeding.   Therefore, the evidence supports the finding that her failure
to pay as directed by the court was conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.”
With respect to the Galloway complaint:
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 1.1.
“Rule 1.1 provides:
“A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client.  Competent         
representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and preparation             
reasonably necessary for the representation.
“Compliance with the Rule requires more than knowing what to do.   It requires
-11-
applying the knowledge to the client’s problem.   The Court of Appeals has said, “Evidence
of a failure to apply the requisite thoroughness and/or preparation in representing a client is
sufficient alone to support a violation of Rule 1.1.”   Attorney Grievance Commission v.
Guida, 891 A. 2d 1085, 1097 (2006).   In Guida, the Court of Appeals held that the failure
of an attorney to pursue a client’s adoption case after taking a fee, even if the attorney knew
what to do, violated Rule 1.1.   Respondent’s conduct is similar to Guida’s.    She took a fee
and then abandoned the representation after commencing the litigation.   Like Guida, she
violated Rule 1.1.
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 1.2
“The evidence shows that respondent did not abide by the client’s decision regarding
the objectives of the representation.   Complainant’s objective was to obtain a divorce. 
Instead of purs[u]ing this objective, respondent allowed the case to be dismissed and stopped
pursuing the matter altogether.   Thus, she failed to abide by the client’s decisions regarding
the objective of the representation and violated Rule 1.2.
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 1.3.
“The evidence shows that respondent failed to act with ‘diligence and promptness’ as
required by Rule 1.3, for the same reasons discussed under Rules 1.1 and 1.2.   She
abandoned efforts to serve the defendant and took no action after receiving the notice of
contemplated dismissal.   This is an extreme lack of diligence and a violation of Rule 1.3.
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 1.4
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“The evidence shows that respondent violated Rule 1.4 (a) (2) by failing to keep the
client informed about the status of the matter.    From November 2005 onward, she failed to
communicate with her client about the client’s case.   She did not advise her of the status of
service on her husband or of the contemplated dismissal of her case or the dismissal itself.
She changed her e-mail address without telling Ms. Bellamy, thus inhibiting communication.
Ms. Bellamy became so frustrated with the lack of communication, she even went to
respondent’s residence but received no answer after she knocked on the door even though
there were vehicles in the driveway.   Respondent clearly violated Rule 1.4.
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 1.15 (a) and Md. Bus. Occ. & Prof. Code Ann., § 10-
304
“The evidence shows that respondent placed the entire $ 750.00 payment in her
operating account at the time it was paid.   The fee was for the entire representation and,
because respondent’s only substantive action was to file the divorce complaint, most of it was
unearned at the time it was deposited in her operating account.   Because respondent had not
earned the entire fee, some portion of it belonged to the client and met the definition of ‘trust
money’ pursuant to BOP § 10-301 (d).
“Respondent’s failure to place these funds in her escrow account violates Rule 1.15
(a), which requires an attorney to keep the client’s property separate from her own, and BOP
§ 10-304, which requires an attorney to keep the client’s property separate from her own, and
BOP § 10-304, which requires a lawyer to deposit trust money into a trust.   Attorney
Grievance Commission v. Ficker, [399 Md. 445, 453-54,] 924 A. 2d 1105, 1111 (2007)
-13-
(depositing unearned flat fee in operating account violates Rule 1.15 (a)); Attorney Grievance
Commission v. McCulloch,[397 Md. 674, 684-86,] 919 A. 2d 660, 666, 667-68 (respondent
concedes that evidence was sufficient to establish to establish violations of Rule 1.15 and §
10-304 upon showing that she deposited unearned retainer into operating account).
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 1.16 (d).
“Rule 1.16 (d) requires that ‘[u]pon termination of a representation, a lawyer shall take
steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect a client’s interests, such as ... refunding
any advance payment of fee or expense that has not been earned or incurred.”   In this case,
respondent’s fee agreement called for a flat fee of $ 750.00 to handle her divorce case. 
Respondent filed the case but then was unable to serve the defendant and eventually
abandoned the representation without advising complainant that her case was dismissed for
lack of prosecution.   She did only a portion of the work required, did not achieve the client’s
objective, and kept the entire fee.   It is without argument that she did not earn the entire fee
and was not entitled to retain all of it.   Her failure to refund a portion of it violates Rule 1.16
(d).   Attorney Grievance Commission v. Rose, [391 Md. 101,] 892 A.2d 469 (2006) (failure
to refund unearned fee for more than one year after discharge violates Rule 1.16 (d));
Attorney Grievance Commission v. Tinsky, [377 Md. 646,] 835 A. 2d 542(2003) (failure to
return unearned fee after abandonment of representation violates Rule 1.16 (d).
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 8.1 (b).
“The evidence establishes that respondent deliberately did not answer letters from Bar
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Counsel dated April 5, May 2, and M ay 18, 2006.   There is no question that she was aware
of these letters as she signed for the third one and told respondent’s investigator that she had
mailed in a response.   When she was told that no response had been received, she promised
to mail in another one but never did.   This is a knowing failure to answer Bar Counsel in
violation of Rule 8.1 (b).
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 8.4 (c).
“By spending fiduciary funds on herself, respondent engaged in dishonest conduct in
violation of Rule 8.4 (c).  Respondent’s conduct is virtually identical to that of the respondent
in Attorney Grievance Commission v. Duvall, [384 Md. 234,] 863 A.2d 291 (2004).   In that
case, respondent received a $ 1700 advance payment, of which $ 1500 w[ere] for fees, in
connection with services regarding the placement of the client’s sister in the National
Lutheran Home for the Aged.   Respondent eventually abandoned the representation and did
not respond to the client’s requests for an accounting of the funds.   Her office telephone was
disconnected.   After the client complained to the Attorney Grievance Commission, she failed
to respond to Bar Counsel.    Like respondent here, she did not account for or refund the fee,
even though in her last billing she stated that the client had a positive balance of $ 1, 097.50,
and did not participate in the disciplinary proceedings based on client’s complaint.   The
hearing judge found that respondent’s conduct violated Rule 8.4 (c)  and the Court of
Appeals disbarred respondent based on this finding.
“Respondent’s conduct violates Rule 8.4 (d).
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“Respondent’s failure to pursue her client’s objectives, respond to the notice of
dismissal, communicate with her client, or refund an unearned fee are all prejudicial to the
administration of justice. Respondent violated Rule 8.4 (d) in her representation of
complainant.”
No exceptions were filed to the hearing court’s findings of fact or conclusions of law.
As indicated, the respondent neither responded to the Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial
Action nor appeared or participated in the hearing on that petition.   Consistently, she neither
filed exceptions to the hearing court’s Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.   The
petitioner, in its Petitioner’s Recommendation For Sanctions, expressly declined to take
exceptions to the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.   Thus, pursuant to Rule 16-759
(b) (2) (A), no exceptions having been taken, i.e. filed, we will “treat the findings of fact as
established for the purpose of determining appropriate sanctions, if any.”  See e.g.,  Attorney
Grievance Comm'n v.Wingerter, 400 Md. 214, 299 n.10, 929 A.2d 47, 56 n.10
(2007);Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Lawson, 401 Md. 536, 572 n.12, 933 A.2d 842, 864
n.12 (2007); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Logan, 390 Md. 313, 319, 888 A.2d 359, 363
(2005). 
The petitioner recommends that the respondent be disbarred.   The basis for the
recommendation is this Court’s rather recent indefinite suspension of the respondent for
misconduct quite similar to that with which she was charged and found to have engaged in
the instant case - placing an unearned fee in her operating account, spending it for personal
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purposes before it was earned, failing to communicate with her client, retaining the fee even
after the case in which she was retained had been dismissed for lack of prosecution, failing
to respond to Bar Counsel’s inquiries concerning her client’s complaint.   Attorney Grievance
Comm’n v. McCulloch, 397 Md. 674, 919 A. 2d 660 (2007).   The petitioner submits, “[i]t
is clear that she has learned nothing from the previous complaint,” and concludes:
“Respondent’s violation of Rule 8.4 (c) by spending money belonging to her
client and her failure to return any portion of an unearned fee is in itself
sufficient to warrant her disbarment.  Attorney Grievance Commission v.
Vanderlinde, 364 Md. 376[, 773 A. 2d 463] (2001); Attorney Grievance
Commission v. Roberts, 394 Md. 137[, 904 A. 2d 557] (2006); Attorney
Grievance Commission v. Duvall, 384 Md. 234[, 863 A. 2d 291] (2004)
(suspended attorney disbarred when evidence showed she abandoned client
and did not return unearned fee); Attorney Grievance Commission v. Tinsky,
377 Md. 646[, 835A. 2d 542] (2003) (abandonment of client and failure to
return unearned fee warrants disbarment).   Moreover, her conduct shows a
complete disregard for obligations to her clients, the court, and Bar Counsel.
She should be disbarred.”
The purpose of attorney discipline is the protection of the public, not the punishment
of the erring attorney. E.g., Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Hill, 398 Md. 95, 103, 919 A.2d
1194, 1198 (2007); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Robertson, 400 Md. 618, 642, 929 A.2d
576, 590; Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Holt, 391 Md. 673, 682, 894 A.2d 602, 607 (2006).
  In determining what sanction will best serve that purpose, we have determined the facts and
circumstances of the misconduct to be instructive. E.g., Attorney Grievance Comm’n v.
Siskind, 401 Md. 41, 75, 930 A.2d 328, 347 (2007); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Mahone,
398 Md. 257, 269, 920 A.2d 458, 465 (2007).   Also important are the presence or absence
of mitigating factors and the prior disciplinary history of the attorney, see e.g., Attorney
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Grievance Comm’n v. Goff, 399 Md. 1, 31, 922 A.2d 554, 572 (2007); Wingerter, 400 Md.
at 224, 929 A.2d at 53, particularly as it reveals the presence or absence of misconduct of the
same, or similar, kind to that being addressed.
In this case, there has been presented no mitigating factors or evidence.   There is,
however, a disciplinary history that evidences rather recent misconduct of the same or similar
kind.   For that reason, we agree with the petitioner that disbarment is the appropriate
sanction.   
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 16-761, FOR WHICH
SUM JUDGMENT IS ENTERED IN FAVOR
OF 
THE 
ATTO R NEY 
GRIEVANCE
COMMISSION 
AGAINST 
CAROL 
L.
MCCULLOCH.