Title: Attorney Grievance v. Coates

State: maryland

Issuer: Maryland Supreme Court

Document:

ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION
*
IN THE
OF MARYLAND
COURT OF AP PEALS
100 Com munity Place
*
OF MARYLAND
Crownsville, Maryland 21032-2027
*
Misc. Docket AG
Petitioner
No. 74
*
September Term 2002
v.
*
and
MARSDEN SMITH COATES
*
Misc. Docket AG
Respondent
No. 12
*
September Term 2003
ORDER
This matter came before the Court on the Joint Petition for Suspension by consent
submitted by the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, Petitioner and Marsden
Smith Coa tes, Respondent.  The Cou rt having considered the Petition, it is this 8 th day of
September, 2003
ORDERED, by the Court of Appeals of Maryland,  that the Respondent, Marsden
Smith Coates, be, and he  hereby is, suspended from the practice of law for a period of one
year, effective thirty days from the date of this Order, for his violation of Rules 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
1.4, 1.15 and 5.3(b) of the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct and Maryland Rule 16-
607 by h is neglectful h andling  and lack of com mun ication with  clients in two  matters, his
failure to place a retainer in his escrow account and his commingling of the personal funds
in his escrow account, and it is further
ORDERED, that a judgm ent for costs in the amount of $210.00 is entered in favor of
the Petiti oner ag ainst th e Respo nden t, and it is fu rther 
ORDERED, that the Clerk of this Court shall strike the name of Marsden Smith Coates
from the register of attorneys and shall certify that fact to the Trustees of the Client
Protection Fund and the Clerks of all judicial tribunals in this State.
      /s/ John C. Eldrdige      
       Judge