Title: Attorney Grievance v. Manger

State: maryland

Issuer: Maryland Supreme Court

Document:

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
OF MARYLAND
Misc. Docket AG
No. 50
September Term, 2005
ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION
OF MARYLAND
v. 
WILLIAM HENRY MANGER
Bell, C.J.
          Raker
Wilner
Cathell
Harrell
Battaglia
Greene
JJ.
Opinion by Bell, C.J.
File: December 14, 2006
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.” 
2Pursuant to that Rule “[a] lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and
promptness in representing a client.”
3Rule 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.”
4Rule 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.”
5Rule 1.5 provides, as relevant:
“(a) A lawyer's fee shall be reasonable.  The factors to be considered in
determining the reasonableness of a fee include the following:
“(1) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the
questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal
service properly;
“(2) the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of
the particular employment will preclude other employment by the
lawyer;
“(3) the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal
services;
“(4) the amount involved and the results obtained;
“(5) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the
circumstances;
 
The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, the petitioner, by Bar Counsel,
acting pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-751,1 filed a Petition For Disciplinary Action against
William Henry Manger, the respondent.   The petition charged that the respondent violated
Rules 1.1, 1.3, Diligence,2 Competence,3 1.4, Communication,4 1.5, Fees,5 3.1, Meritorious
“(6) the nature and length of the professional relationship with
the client;
“(7) the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or
lawyers performing the services; and
“(8) whether the fee is fixed or contingent.”
 
6Rule 3.1 provides:
“A lawyer shall not bring or defend a proceeding, or assert or controvert an
issue therein, unless there is a basis for doing so that is not frivolous, which
includes a good faith argument for an extension, modification or reversal of
existing law.   A lawyer may nevertheless so defend the proceeding as to
require that every element of the moving party’s case be established.”
7Rule 8.4, as relevant, provides:
“It is professional  misconduct for  a lawyer to: 
                                          *     *     *     *
 “(d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.”
*     *     *     *
8Rule 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
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.”  
9Maryland Rule 16-757 (c) provides:
“(c)  Findings and conclusions. The judge shall prepare and file or dictate
2
Claims and Contentions,6  and 8.4, Misconduct,7  of the Maryland Rules of Professional
Conduct, as adopted by Maryland Rule 16-812.    
We referred the case, pursuant to Rules 16-752 (a),8 to the Honorable Paul A.
Hackner, of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County, for hearing pursuant to Rule 16-757
(c).9     At the hearing, the petitioner and the respondent stipulated to the following facts and
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.” 
3
that they “are established by clear and convincing evidence:”
“1.  Respondent, William Henry Manger, is 75 years old.  He holds a B.A.
degree from Loyola College in Baltimore (1953) and the LL.B. Degree from
Georgetown University (1958).   He was admitted to the Maryland Bar on
October 24, 1958 and subsequently became a member of the bars of the
District of Columbia and California.   Respondent is now and at all times
relevant to this proceeding was in the active practice of law in Maryland.  He
is no longer a member of the D.C. or California bars.
“2.     Respondent has been an attorney for 48 years. His legal practice has concentrated
primarily on securities, corporate, franchise and insurance law and related litigation.
Respondent has had very little civil trial experience in Maryland courts and
virtually no experience litigating family law/custody matters in any jurisdiction
where he is or was admitted to practice. 
“3.     Alba Elena Miller, f/k/a Alba Elena Rodriquez (the ‘Complainant’) met
with Respondent on or about May 4, 2002 to consult with him about custody
issues arising between her and her ex-husband. Complainant had been denied
legal joint custody of her two children and only limited visitation largely due
to a diagnosis that she suffered from bipolar disorder with paranoid tendencies.
After the initial consultation Respondent, by letter dated May 6, 2002,
confirmed the May 4th meeting and proposed the terms upon which he would
represent her which included, inter alia, the waiver of fees for the initial
meeting on May 4th; an hourly rate of $ 150 per hour; reimbursement of all out
of pocket expenses; and a request for an initial retainer of $1,000.Respondent
also stated in this letter that he would provide detailed monthly billing statements.
Petitioner's exhibit 1, tab 2.
“4.     By letter dated November 4, 2002, Respondent acknowledged meeting
with Complainant on that date and agreed, contrary to his previous letter of
May 6, 2002, to undertake representation of Complainant with the
4
acknowledged receipt of a $150 retainer instead of the $1000 previously
proposed. Respondent was aware that the Complainant had limited income and
agreed to allow the Complainant to make payments as she was able.
Petitioner's exhibit 1, tab 3.
“5.     Subsequently, Respondent prepared a Petition to Set Aside or Modify a
Consent Custody Order Dated April 29, 2001 with the Circuit Court for Anne
Arundel County, Case No. C-98-47502 DV, and filed it on January 24, 2003.
Petitioner's exhibit 1, tab 9-32. Respondent supported his Petition with an
affidavit from Complainant, declarations of persons who knew Complainant
to the effect that she exhibited no signs of mental illness and a Memorandum
of  Law. Respondent's theory of the case was that Complainant had been
falsely diagnosed with bipolar disorder with paranoid tendencies, that the
licensed psychologist who made the diagnosis was incompetent to do so, and
that the psychiatric community is engaging in ‘pseudo science’ when
diagnosing and treating mental disorders.
“6.     In preparing the Petition, Respondent did not consult the Maryland
Rules, statutes or case law concerning child custody.
“7.     The Memorandum of Law cited no statutes, cases or court rules. Rather,
it discussed Complainant's history as an immigrant to the United States, cross-
cultural differences vis-a-vis marriage, alleged mental and physical abuse she
had suffered from her ex-husband and an attack on the licensed psychologist's
competence to administer and interpret the psychological evaluation given to
Complainant. He concluded the Memorandum with an attack on the
psychiatric profession and supplied references to works of academic
psychologists as well as copies of articles from newspapers and academic
journals. Respondent has stated that he did not intend to retain any expert
witnesses to rebut the Complainant's psychological evaluation because he
wanted to spare Complainant the expense and because he believed members
of the psychological profession are hesitant to testify against one another.
“8.     Complainant relied on Respondent to determine the correct legal actions
to take. On or about March 6, 2003, Complainant received a billing statement
from Respondent seeking payment in excess of $25,000. Complainant refused
to pay the bill and terminated Respondent's services.
“9.   On or about December 15, 2003 Respondent received a telephone call
from Complainant's ex-husband informing Respondent that the Complainant
5
had testified under oath that Respondent had given her advice that it was legal
for her to obtain a copy of her ex-husband's credit report. Respondent assumed
that Complainant's testimony had been given during a hearing. Respondent
denies ever having given Complainant such advice and considered her
statement to be ‘defamatory.’
“10.   On or about December 18, 2003, Respondent filed suit in the District
Court of Maryland against Complainant for his unpaid fees. The Complainant
prayed a jury trial before the Circuit Court and Respondent amended his
Complaint to add a count for defamation, praying for compensatory and
punitive damages. Petitioner's Exhibits 5 and 6.
“11.    Respondent has been the subject of earlier disciplinary proceedings in
California and Maryland. Respondent was charged with various acts of
professional misconduct during his practice in California for which, on August
22, 1990, the Supreme Court of California suspended him from practice for
three years. The execution of the suspension was stayed and Respondent was
placed on probation for three years on condition that he be suspended for 90
days and complied with various other conditions. The misconduct grew out of
several complaints involving his willful failure to perform his professional
duties, to refund unearned fees, to communicate with clients or withdraw from
representation in a proper and timely manner. See Attorney Grievance
Commission of Maryland v. William Henry Manger, Misc. Docket (Subtitle
BV) No. 32 (Md. Ct. App. filed June 25, 1993) (Per curiam). Petitioner's
Exhibit 7.
“12.    In 1993, Respondent was suspended from practice in Maryland for 90
days as a result of  the California suspension. Respondent subsequently applied
to the Maryland Court of Appeals for reinstatement and his petition was
granted by Notice and Order dated September 12, 1994.  Petitioner's Exhibit
7.
“13.    Respondent states that his financial circumstances require him to
continue to practice law for as long as possible. A lack of work and income,
at the time he was engaged by the Complainant, was the principal motivation
for accepting Complainant's matter.
“14.    Respondent has recently developed and has the potential to develop
significant new business, all of which is transactional in nature and generally
falls within his previous legal experience. Respondent's Exhibit 1.”
6
The respondent and the complainant also testified, as to which the hearing court found, by
a clear and convincing standard, the following.   
The complainant and the respondent disagreed as to the number of times, and when,
the respondent billed the complainant.   She contended that she received only one bill from
her engagement of the respondent in November 2002 to March 2003, while the respondent
maintained that he sent three.   The court determined that he sent two, finding the
respondent’s testimony as to the November bill he claimed to have sent not to be credible:
inter alia, perusal of the bill revealed time and expenses that post-dated the date of the bill
and the “language” of the cover letter to the January bill, which the court found was sent to
the complainant, “makes it clear that the January statement was the initial statement sent to”
the complainant.   
The hearing court also made findings with regard to the value of the respondent’s
work to the complainant as well as its nature and significance:
“A significant portion of Respondent's activity, for which he billed his client,
was aimed at educating himself on mental health issues, so that he could
challenge the opinions of Dr. Gombatz, which had been relied upon by the
court in earlier proceedings.  However, the knowledge gained by Respondent
as a result of this research would have had limited utility in the presentation of
his client's case.  It might have been useful for Respondent to have a general
understanding of the mental health issues involved in the case in order to
effectively examine witnesses.  However, Respondent's education at his
client's expense went too far.  It should have been apparent to the Respondent
that he would not be a witness in the case and that educating himself was not
a substitute for presentation of expert testimony on the mental health issues.
“The bulk of Respondent's research was of a general nature and should not
have been billed to the client. A client who engages counsel has a right to
7
expect that the attorney will have sufficient general knowledge to competently
represent her. While it may be appropriate to charge a client for case-specific
research or familiarization with a unique issue involved in a case, general
education or background research should not be charged to the client. 
“Similarly, the significant amount of time that Respondent devoted to
preparing a memorandum to accompany the Petition to Set Aside or Modify
the Custody Order, as well as the submission of witness declarations in support
of the Complainant, were essentially pointless. While it might have been useful
to interview potential witnesses and even obtain their statements for his file,
Respondent should have realized that these declarations consisted of inadmissible
hearsay. The trial court could not have considered the declarations to prove the
substance of the witness statements.
“The Court also finds that the Complainant was excessively billed for administrative
activities and other items that should have been absorbed as office overhead,
such as looking up zip codes, making up Rolodex cards and the like.
Complainant should not have been charged for such items at all, and certainly
not at an attorney's hourly rate.”
The quality of the respondent’s work on behalf of the complainant and, therefore, his
competence did not escape scrutiny.   Noting that, in representing the complainant in her
attempt to have a custody order, entered by consent more than a year earlier, modified,  the
respondent was required to “establish that a material change in circumstances has occurred,”
the hearing court found that, instead, the “Respondent focused his significant efforts on a
quixotic attempt to establish that the court was wrong when it entered the custody order in
the first place.”   Although the respondent’s efforts were extensive, they were not the efforts
of a competent lawyer, for such a lawyer would not have failed to recognize the lack of
viability of that approach.   That he did not, the hearing court determined, indicated that the
respondent “failed to demonstrate the knowledge, thoroughness, skill, and preparation
8
required of a competent attorney with respect to his representation of the Complainant.”
As indicated the hearing court was satisfied that the respondent’s efforts were
extensive.   It also found that he “worked extremely hard on behalf of his client,”
communicating with her regularly; during the representation he was in communication with
the complainant, through face to face meetings, e-mails letters and telephone calls, on more
than fifty occasions.   Thus, the hearing court found: “while the Respondent’s efforts may
have been largely pointless, there can be no doubt that they were substantial.   There was no
indication that the client was ever concerned that she was not being kept up-to-date about the
progress of her case.”
Based on the foregoing factual findings, the hearing court concluded that the
respondent violated Rules 1.1, 1.5 (a), 3.1 and 8.4 (d).    As to Rule 1.1, the respondent
conceded that it was violated by his conduct of the representation of the complainant,
acknowledging, “on reflection, the relevant rules of court, rules of evidence, case law, and
the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct demonstrate that his theory of the case, strategy,
tactics and time expended on the matter were erroneous and misplaced and did not rise to the
level of competent representation....”    The Rule 1.5 (a)  violation was based on his bills to
the complainant being excessive and unreasonable, consisting of “billings [that] included
extensive activity that would not further the goals of the client, ... constitut[ing] general
background readings not billable to a client and clerical and administrative tasks that should
be a part of the attorney’s general overhead.”   Bringing an action for defamation against his
10The hearing court rejected the argument that the lack of diligence was reflected in
the respondent’s failure to familiarize himself with the law and rules controlling the
subject of his representation.   That, the court opined, “resulted from a lack of
competence rather than effort, however misguided.”
9
former client, without having conducting legal research into its viability and without
appreciating that “Maryland law provides for a broad privilege for allegedly defamatory
statements in judicial proceedings,” or that doing so “likely [would] erode the public
confidence in the legal profession,” sufficiently supported the Rule 3.1 and 8.4 (d)
violations.  The respondent conceded the appropriateness of the trial court’s conclusion that
his conduct in this regard was prejudicial to the administration of justice.
On the other hand, the hearing court determined that the respondent did not violate
Rules 1.3 or 1.4 (b).   As to the former, the court was satisfied that, despite his other
shortcomings,10 [the respondent] acted with extraordinary diligence and promptness in
representing [the complainant].”   That this was so was reflected in the respondent’s billing
statements.   While the respondent’s compliance with Rule 1.4 (b) was not perfect, the
hearing court was not persuaded that the delay, from November to January, in submitting a
billing statement, required to be submitted monthly, was a violation, “particularly in view of
the frequent communications between the parties,” which was established by the billing
statements themselves.  
The hearing court noted that the respondent had a disciplinary history .   He was
disciplined in 1990 by the Supreme Court of California for “various acts of professional
10
misconduct during his practice in California.”   As a result, in 1993, this Court imposed
reciprocal discipline, a 90 day suspension.
There also were mitigating circumstances in this case, the hearing court found:
“With respect to the instant case, there was no contention that Respondent’s
misconduct resulted from a physical or mental impairment.   The Court
concludes that Respondent did not act in bad faith and had no intention to
defraud or injure Ms. Miller.   Respondent has expressed contrition on the
witness stand and has cooperated with the AGC by admitting violations of the
applicable disciplinary rules.    Respondent’s offer to seek guidance from a
mentor with respect to his transitional practice, take courses in professional
responsibility and the Lawyers’ Rules of  Professional Conduct and refrain
from handling litigation matters in the future shows a willingness to begin
rehabilitation so that future rule violations will not occur.”
The petitioner filed Petitioner’s Recommendation For Sanction.   In that pleading, it
noted its exception to the hearing court’s failure to find that the respondent acted in bad faith
and with intent to defraud or injure the complainant, maintaining that clear and convincing
evidence to that effect was shown by the respondent’s undertaking of the representation
without sufficient general knowledge competently to do so, the fact that the respondent’s
principal motivation for undertaking the representation was lack of work and income, and
the filing, by the respondent, of a defamation claim against the complainant, a claim that was
both unfounded and, therefore, frivolous.  Necessarily, therefore, to the extent that the
respondent’s intent to defraud or injure formed the basis of the hearing court’s finding of
mitigation, the petitioner disputed it.   Moreover, it questioned the respondent’s contrition,
as found by the hearing court, noting his answer to the petition in which he denied any
misconduct and his failure to reimburse the complainant for attorneys’ fees she incurred in
11
defending the defamation action or to refund a portion of the fees she paid him.   As to the
latter, the petitioner asserts, “[i]t is difficult to understand how Respondent justifies retaining
these funds in light of his acknowledging his services were incompetent and therefore of
little or no value to the client.”
Adding the respondent’s prior California, and this Court’s reciprocal, suspension to
the foregoing, the petitioner recommends that the respondent be indefinitely suspended, with
reinstatement conditioned upon his repayment to the complainant of the fees he charged and
the reimbursement of her attorneys’ fees in defending against the respondent’s defamation
action.
The respondent took no exceptions.   He did file, however, Respondent’s Response
To Trial Court’s Findings Of Fact And Conclusions Of Law And Petitioner’s
Recommendation For Sanction.    Maintaining that the record reflects, as the hearing court
determined, the exact opposite of what the petitioner contends to be the case, the respondent
urges this Court to reject the petitioner’s exception.   He stresses the lack of any suggestion
in the record or findings of an intent to defraud or injure and, in fact, the opposite finding by
the hearing court.   If the petitioner’s exception were sustained, he adds, “every case of
professional negligence or incompetence [would be converted] into an intentional tort or
species of fraud.”   While not denying that he was intending to enrich himself at the expense
of his client, that is, after all, what the fee does, the respondent maintains that the record does
not support that that was his only motivation or that the fee, reflected in the time and effort
11The respondent testified in mitigation, and the hearing court acknowledged, that
“He is prepared to take remedial steps and place significant limits on his
future practice, including (1) taking academic or continuing legal education
courses in professional responsibility; the Maryland’s Lawyers’ Rules of
Professional Conduct and such other courses as the Court of Appeals shall
direct; (2) if a present or future client presents him with a matter requiring
litigation, Respondent will immediately associate with or refer the matter to
a lawyer experienced in the type of litigation involved; and (3) to seek a
mentor from the Business Law Section of the American Bar Association or
the Maryland State Bar Association to provide him with oversight
concerning his transactional practice.” 
12
he expended to earn it, “[was] out of all proportion to what could be achieved to serve his
client’s objectives.”   With regard to the defamation action, the respondent states that his
“real intention in adding the defamation count to his suit for legal fees was to rebut the
insinuation that he had given his client illegal advice and to protect his professional
reputation.”    Nor does the respondent believe his failure to refund a portion of the fee the
complainant paid him evidence a lack of contrition for his misconduct.  He believes that he
earned some of the fee and, “[b]ased on the record, there is no way for Petitioner to
determine exactly how much of the $25,000 purported fee Respondent claimed from the
Complainant he in fact ‘earned.’”  
Although acknowledging his prior discipline and that the type of misconduct in which
he has been found to have engaged alone warrants, ordinarily, an indefinite suspension, the
respondent nevertheless seeks “a lesser sanction than indefinite suspension due to the
circumstances of this case.”  He does so based on the unique circumstances of this case, the
steps he has agreed to take to ensure that he does no further harm to the public,11 and the fact
12Although phrased as a finding of fact, the hearing court’s “finding” with respect
to the intent with which the respondent acted is really a mixed question of law and fact.  
The facts from which the conclusion is drawn are largely not in dispute; certainly it is not
contended that the court was clearly erroneous in its fact-finding.   
13
that the prior discipline was ministerial, being the result of conduct that did not occur in
Maryland, and remote in time.
  We shall overrule the petitioner’s exception.   There is ample evidence to support the
findings of fact made by the hearing court  and, just as important, those factual findings
justify the conclusions drawn from them.   Exceptions will be overruled when the findings
are not clearly erroneous, Attorney Grievance Comm’n v.  McCoy, 369 Md. 226, 235, 798
A.2d 1132, 1137 (2002).   See  Attorney Griev. Comm'n v. Garland, 345 Md. 383, 392, 692
A.2d 465, 469 (1997) (citing Attorney Griev. Comm'n v. Goldsborough, 330 Md. 342, 347,
624 A.2d 503, 505 (1993)), and the conclusions are supported by the facts found.12
Turning to the question of the appropriate sanction for the misconduct found, we
reiterate the well settled standard that guides that decision.   The purpose of attorney
disciplinary proceedings is to protect the public and not to punish the erring attorney.
Attorney Grievance Comm'n  v. Velasquez, 380 Md. 651, 660-61, 846 A.2d 422, 427-28
(2004);  Attorney Grievance Comm’n v.Tinsky, 377 Md. 646, 653, 835 A.2d 542, 546;
Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Franz, et. al., 355 Md. 752, 760-61, 736 A.2d 339, 343-44
(1999) Attorney Grievance Comm'n. Myers, 333 Md. 440, 446-47, 635 A.2d 1315, 1318
(1994); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Goldsborough, 330 Md. 342, 364, 624 A.2d 503,
14
513 (1993); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Protokowicz, 329 Md. 252, 262-63, 619 A.2d
100, 105 (1993); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Myers, 302 Md. 571, 580, 490 A.2d 231,
236 (1985); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Velasquez, 301 Md. 450, 459, 483 A.2d 354,
359 (1984); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Montgomery, 296 Md. 113, 119, 460 A.2d 597,
600 (1983).   What the appropriate sanction for the particular misconduct is, in the public
interest, generally depends upon the facts and circumstances of the case, as the facts and
circumstances of a case will determine how severe the sanction should be.  Attorney Griev.
Comm'n v. Babbitt, 300 Md. 637, 642, 479 A.2d 1372, 1375 (1984); Montgomery, 296 Md.
at 120, 460 A.2d at 600; Attorney Griev. Comm'n v. Pollack, 289 Md. 603, 609, 425 A.2d
1352, 1355 (1981). The attorney's prior grievance history, as well as facts in mitigation,
constitute part of those facts and circumstances. Maryland State Bar Ass'n v. Phoebus, 276
Md. 353, 362, 347 A.2d 556, 561 (1975).  The public interest is served when a sanction
designed to effect general and specific deterrence is imposed on an attorney who violates
the disciplinary rules. See Protokowicz, 329 Md. at 262-63, 619 A.2d at 105; Attorney
Grievance Comm'n v. Owrutsky, 322 Md. 334, 355, 587 A.2d 511, 521 (1991); Attorney
Grievance Comm'n v. Alison, 317 Md. 523, 540-41, 565 A.2d 660, 668 (1989).   
Notwithstanding our overruling of the petitioner’s exception, we nevertheless
believe that the appropriate sanction is an indefinite suspension, as the petitioner has
recommended and which the respondent has conceded to be the typically mandated one for
conduct of the nature in which he engaged.   We do not believe that the arguments the
15
respondent offers for a lesser sanction carry the day.   Although  neither the conduct in
which the respondent was found to have engaged nor the rule violations it was found to
constitute rises to the level of conduct or violations warranting disbarment, the misconduct
is quite serious and can not be condoned.   Moreover, we are not satisfied that the
circumstances of this case are of sufficient uniqueness as to justify, much less require, the
imposition of a lesser sanction.  Certainly, the fact that the only prior violation, and the
sanction in respect thereto, is not recent is relevant, but it is difficult to attribute substantial
mitigating weight to the fact that it was not incurred in this State, and it cannot be, in any
event, characterized as ministerial.   Whether the “safeguards” the respondent has proposed
will have the anticipated effect can be, and indeed must be, judged in the light of
subsequent events.   Thus, their efficacy and desirability, as well as their exact nature, may
be, and, perhaps, should be addressed, when the decision to readmit him is considered. This
is consistent with what we did, and said, in Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Black, 362 Md.
574, 580, 766 A.2d 119, 123 (2001):
“We decline ... the petitioner's invitation to delineate specific conditions of
reinstatement, except the payment of costs, a condition in any event, whether
stated or not, preferring to reserve to ourselves the broadest discretion to
review, at the time of application, the respondent's fitness for reinstatement.
By not specifying a monitor, or any of the other recommended conditions, as
prerequisite for reinstatement, however, we do not mean to suggest that they
are not appropriate or should not be done. We simply will not now express
an opinion on the matter of what is, or will be, required for reinstatement.”
See also Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Holt, 894 A.2d 602, 605, 391 Md. 673, 678
(2006).
16
Accordingly, the respondent is ordered indefinitely suspended from the practice of
law.
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
O F 
THE 
ATTORNEY 
GRIEVAN C E
COMMISSION AGAINST WILLIAM HENRY
MANGER.