Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Tamara Renee Good, Miscellaneous 

Docket AG No. 66, September Term, 2014 & Miscellaneous Docket AG No. 8, September 

Term, 2015 

ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE – SANCTIONS – DISBARMENT – Respondent Tamara 

Renee Good violated the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct (“MLRPC”) 

in her capacity as a representative of Blaine White, Jeanne Delaney, Joseph Chester, Eriss 

Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul Newman. Good failed to perform legal services for 

clients after accepting a retainer, ignored clients’ requests for updates, abandoned 

representation of clients without communication, and refused to respond to Bar Counsel 

during the course of its investigation. Such conduct violated MLRPC 1.1; MLRPC 1.2(a); 

MLRPC 1.3; MLRPC 1.4(a) and (b); MLRPC 1.5(a); MLRPC 1.15(a), (c), and (d); 

MLRPC 1.16(d); MLRPC 8.1(b); MLRPC 8.4(a), (c), and (d); and § 10-306 of the 

Maryland Code (1989, Repl. Vol. 2010), Business Occupations and Professions Article. 

Taken together, Good’s violations warrant disbarment.
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

OF MARYLAND 

 

Misc. Docket AG No. 66 

September Term, 2014 

& 

Misc. Docket AG No. 8

September Term, 2015 

 

ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION 

OF MARYLAND 

v. 

TAMARA RENEE GOOD 

 

Barbera, C.J. 

Battaglia 

Greene

Adkins

McDonald

Watts 

Harrell, Glenn T., Jr. (Retired, 

 Specially Assigned), 

JJ.

 

Opinion by Adkins, J.

 

Filed: December 21, 2015

Circuit Court for Baltimore County

Case No.: 03-C-14-13449 

Circuit Court for Baltimore County

Case No.: 03-C-15-004149

Argued: November 5, 2015
The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland (“AGC”), acting through Bar 

Counsel, filed two Petitions for Disciplinary or Remedial Action (“petitions”) against 

Respondent Tamara Renee Good (“Good”) on August 28, 2014 and January 7, 2015. Bar 

Counsel charged Good with violating the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional 

Conduct (“MLRPC”) in her capacity as a representative of Blaine A. White, Jeanne P. 

Delaney, Joseph A. Chester, III, Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul D. Newman. 

Specifically, Bar Counsel alleged that Good violated the following rules: (1) MLRPC 1.1 

(Competence); (2) MLRPC 1.2 (Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority 

Between Client and Lawyer); (3) MLRPC 1.3 (Diligence); (4) MLRPC 1.4 

(Communication); (5) MLRPC 1.5 (Fees); (6) MLRPC 1.15 (Safekeeping Property); (7) 

MLRPC 1.16 (Declining or Terminating Representation); (8) MLRPC 8.1 (Bar Admission 

and Disciplinary Matters); and (9) MLRPC 8.4 (Misconduct). In addition, Bar Counsel 

alleged that Good violated § 10-306 of the Maryland Code (1989, Repl. Vol. 2010), 

Business Occupations and Professions Article. 

Pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-752(a), we referred the petitions to the Honorable 

Nancy M. Purpura (“hearing judge”) of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County to conduct 

an evidentiary hearing and make findings of fact and conclusions of law. Good did not 

attend the hearings conducted on April 2, 2015 and August 21, 2015. Following the 

hearings, Judge Purpura issued findings of fact and conclusions of law, in which she found 

by clear and convincing evidence that Good violated MLRPC 1.1; MLRPC 1.2(a); MLRPC 

1.3; MLRPC 1.4(a) and (b); MLRPC 1.5(a); MLRPC 1.15(a), (c), and (d); MLRPC 1.16(d); 

MLRPC 8.1(b); MLRPC 8.4(a), (c), and (d); and § 10-306 of the Maryland Code, Business 
2

Occupations and Professions Article. Neither Bar Counsel nor Good filed exceptions to 

the hearing judge’s findings of fact or conclusions of law. Good did not appear before us 

for oral argument as to sanction. We issued a per curiam order on November 6, 2015, 

disbarring Good immediately from the practice of law. We now explain the reasons for 

that order.

THE HEARING JUDGE’S FINDINGS OF FACT 

Tamara Good was admitted to the Maryland Bar on December 17, 2008, and 

maintained a practice in Towson, Maryland. Because the petitions here arose out of six 

separate client complaints, we set forth the hearing judge’s factual findings pertaining to 

each client complaint. 

Complaint of Blaine A. White 

Before retaining Good, Blaine A. White and Virlynn D. Atkinson-White (“Mr. and 

Mrs. White”) failed to make three months of mortgage payments to their mortgage lender, 

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, NA (“Chase”). In May 2012, Mr. and Mrs. White retained Good

to file a lawsuit against Chase. Mr. and Mrs. White paid Good a $500 retainer fee. In 

December 2012, Good filed a lawsuit against Chase in the United States District Court for 

the District of Maryland and the timeline of events as found by the hearing judge followed: 

On or about March 15, 2013, [Good] filed an Amended 

Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial. On March 15, 2013, 

[Good] filed a Motion for Extension of Time to file a Response 

to Chase’s Motion to Dismiss. On March 29, 2013, Chase filed 

a Motion to Dismiss Mr. and Mrs. White’s case. On April 16, 

2013, [Good’s] Motion for Extension was denied by the court, 

although the court allowed her to submit a response by April 

17, 2013. On April 22, 2013, [Good] filed a Response to 

Chase’s Motion. 
3

On April 22, 2013, Chase filed a Motion for Rule 11 Sanctions. 

[Good] did not file a response to Chase’s Motion for 

Sanctions.1

In June 2013, Good emailed Mr. White advising him that she was awaiting the 

court’s opinion. Shortly thereafter, Mr. White emailed Good requesting a status update. 

Later that month, the federal judge granted Chase’s motion to dismiss the amended 

complaint and Chase’s motion for sanctions, but granted the Whites’ motion for leave to 

file a second amended complaint. Good, however, never filed a second amended complaint 

on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. White. 

Mr. and Mrs. White were unable to reach Good and obtain status updates regarding 

their case. Mr. and Mrs. White “repeatedly” attempted to telephone Good during the 

summer of 2013, but she did not return their phone calls. Mr. and Mrs. White also emailed 

Good in October and November 2013 requesting a status update of their case, but Good 

did not respond to these requests. The hearing judge found that despite the Whites’ 

telephone calls and emails, Good “failed to inform Mr. and Mrs. White that their case was 

dismissed or file additional pleadings on their behalf.” 

 

1

Internal citations to exhibits omitted. Although the hearing judge found that “[o]n 

March 15, 2013, [Good] filed a Motion for Extension of Time to file a Response to Chase’s 

Motion to Dismiss,” Bar Counsel’s Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial Action states that 

“[o]n or about April 15, 2013, [Good] filed a Motion to Extend Time to File 

Response/Reply to Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss.” This minor inconsistency in the 

record, however, does not affect our analysis as to sanction. 
4

Complaint of Jeanne Delaney

In June 2010, Jeanne Delaney retained Good to file a bankruptcy petition on her 

behalf. During Delaney’s initial meeting with Good, she provided Good with a check in 

the amount of $1,329.00 for legal services. Good’s “total attorney’s fees for Ms. Delaney’s 

case, including the plan payments and the initial payment of $1,329.00 totaled $4,904.00.” 

After this meeting, the hearing judge found that: 

On June 21, 2010, [Good] filed Ms. Delaney’s Chapter 

13 bankruptcy petition in the United States Bankruptcy Court, 

District of Maryland (Case Number 10-23937). Ms. Delaney 

continued to make Plan payments over the next three years. On 

December 20, 2013 Ms. Delaney received a notice from the 

bankruptcy court informing her that her case would be closed 

without proper discharge. [Good] failed to file the letter of 

discharge for Ms. Delaney. 

Shortly thereafter, Ms. Delaney repeatedly attempted to 

contact [Good] to no avail. [Good] did not return Ms. 

Delaney’s phone calls. Ms. Delaney sought assistance from 

Legal Aid and was able to complete the Debtor’s Affidavit 

Requesting Discharge pro se. On January 8, 2014, Ms. 

Delaney’s bankruptcy was discharged.2 

Complaint of Joseph Chester 

In October 2012, Joseph Chester retained Good to file a bankruptcy petition with 

the United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Maryland. Chester is retired from the 

United States Postal Service and currently suffers from scleroderma and arthritis. Chester 

paid Good a total of $1,481 in attorney’s fees. 

 

2

Internal citations to exhibits omitted. 
5

After filing a bankruptcy petition on behalf of Chester, Good telephoned Chester at 

11:00 A.M. on October 15, 2013 to inform him that he needed to be present at a hearing at 

the bankruptcy court at 2:00 P.M. on the same day. Prior to October 15, 2013, Chester had 

not been provided sufficient notice that his presence was necessary at the bankruptcy court. 

On October 17, 2013, the bankruptcy judge issued an order denying confirmation 

of the plan with leave to amend. The order required that an amended plan be filed on or 

before November 4, 2013. Good told Chester that she would be filing an amended plan 

before November 4, 2013. After receiving a copy of the bankruptcy court’s order, Chester 

contacted Good “repeatedly” to remind her of the court’s denying confirmation of the plan. 

Nonetheless, Good failed to respond to Chester’s phone calls. Good then failed to file an 

amended plan with the bankruptcy court and Chester’s case was dismissed in November 

2013. 

At Good’s disciplinary hearing, Chester testified that she failed to pursue his 

bankruptcy to its conclusion. The hearing judge found that “[Good’s] inaction resulted in 

the near dismissal” of Chester’s bankruptcy until his new attorney began handling the 

matter. 

Complaint of Eriss Tubman 

In May 2010, Eriss Tubman retained Good to file a bankruptcy petition on her 

behalf. In June 2013, Tubman met with Good and gave her $1,271 to begin the preparation 

of the bankruptcy petition. Tubman paid $1,671 in total attorney’s fees and filing fees for 

the bankruptcy. In September 2013, Good informed Tubman that she was having family 
6

problems that prevented her from filing the bankruptcy petition. Later that month, Good

filed the petition. 

After the petition was filed, Tubman attended the meeting of creditors in October 

2013. Good contacted Tubman in November 2013 and told her that she did not have to 

attend the confirmation hearing later that month. Tubman then attempted to contact Good 

on several occasions over a nine month period, but Good did not reply to these voicemail 

requests for information. In June 2014, Tubman sent Good a termination letter informing 

her that she had “called her several times a month since our last face to face meeting which 

was with the creditors” and wrote that their last telephone conversation had been on 

November 11, 2013. Tubman also filed a complaint with the Attorney Grievance 

Commission in June 2014. 

Bar Counsel sent Good two letters in July 2014 regarding Tubman’s complaint, but 

Good never replied to either of these letters. In September 2014, Good filed a motion to 

withdraw with the bankruptcy court. Good, however, did not provide Tubman with notice 

that she was withdrawing from her case. 

Complaint of Cynthia Lewis 

Good met with Cynthia Lewis in 2012 to discuss Lewis’s legal options related to 

her financial situation. In September 2013, Good filed a bankruptcy petition on behalf of 

Lewis. Lewis agreed to pay Good $3,000 in attorney’s fees and filing fees under the 

retainer agreement. Lewis attended the meeting of creditors in October 2013 and her 

repayment plan was confirmed by the bankruptcy court in December 2013. 
7

The hearing judge found that “[Good] failed to respond to Ms. Lewis’s requests for 

information concerning her case.” In June 2014, Lewis sent Good a letter regarding the 

status of her bankruptcy case and sent a second letter regarding Good’s lack of 

communication. Good did not respond to either of these letters. In addition, the U.S. 

bankruptcy trustee wrote to Lewis that she had been unable to contact Good. Lewis was 

unable to retain new counsel for her bankruptcy matter because of her financial situation. 

During AGC’s investigation of Lewis’s complaint, Good was similarly 

unresponsive: 

On July 24, 2014, Bar Counsel sent [Good] a letter notifying 

her of Ms. Lewis’s complaint. [Good] failed to respond to Bar 

Counsel’s initial letter. On August 13, 2014, Bar Counsel sent 

[Good] a second letter notifying her of Ms. Lewis’s complaint. 

[Good] failed to respond to Bar Counsel’s second letter.3

Complaint of Paul Newman 

In March 2009, Paul Newman, a disabled retiree, retained Good to file a patent 

application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) and paid 

$2,500 in total attorney’s fees.4 Newman provided Good with original drawings of his 

design for her to file with his application. Although Good initially communicated with 

Newman, the hearing judge found that he later experienced difficulty contacting Good: 

[Good] provided invoices to Mr. Newman related to her 

purported work on Mr. Newman’s USPTO application for 

 

3

Internal citations to exhibits omitted. 

4

 From 2010 to 2011, Good also represented Newman in a matter involving the 

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The hearing judge in this attorney discipline 

proceeding noted that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission matter “was 

eventually dismissed.”
8

work performed in 2009. In 2009, [Good] initially contacted 

Mr. Newman on a regular basis, but later ceased all 

communication sometime in 2013. 

Beginning in 2009 through 2013, Mr. Newman 

continued to contact [Good] to arrange meetings with her, but 

she cancelled each of their scheduled meetings.5

 

In September 2014, Bar Counsel sent Good two letters notifying her of Newman’s 

complaint, but she failed to respond to either of these letters. Notably, the hearing judge 

also found that Good has neither provided Newman a refund of attorney’s fees for the 

patent application nor returned copies of his original drawings. 

THE HEARING JUDGE’S CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

From the facts of the six complaints, the hearing judge concluded that Good violated 

MLRPC 1.1; 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4(a) and (b); 1.5(a); 1.15(a), (c), and (d); 1.16(d); 8.1(b); and 

8.4(a), (c), and (d). The hearing judge also decided that Good violated § 10-306 of the 

Maryland Code, Business Occupations and Professions Article.

Rule 1.16

MLRPC 1.1 requires that an attorney provide competent representation. As to 

Blaine White’s complaint, the hearing judge found that “[Good] failed to accomplish what 

she was hired for: to complete the prosecution of [] White’s [sic] case against Chase.” The 

 

5

Internal citations to exhibits omitted. 

6 Rule 1.1 Competence 

A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client. 

Competent representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, 

thoroughness and preparation reasonably necessary for the 

representation.
9

judge concluded that Good’s failure to file a second amended complaint after the district 

judge granted Chase’s motion to dismiss constituted a lack of thoroughness and supported 

a violation of Rule 1.1. 

The judge also determined that Good failed to provide competent representation of 

Joseph Chester when she failed to file an amended plan, which “largely led” to the 

dismissal of Chester’s bankruptcy proceeding. The judge stated that this “inaction” 

violated Rule 1.1. 

Regarding the complaints of Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul Newman, the 

hearing judge wrote: 

Competency includes, “at a minimum, the attorney’s 

presence at any court proceeding for which he or she was 

retained, absent an acceptable explanation for that attorney’s 

absence.” Attorney Grievance Commission v. Harris, 366 Md. 

376, 403, 784 A.2d 516, 531 (2001); see Attorney Grievance 

Commission v. De La Paz, 418 Md. at 534, 553-54, 16 A.3d at 

181, 193 (2011) (finding that an attorney violated MLRPC 1.1 

when he failed to appear before the court in his client’s case). 

If an attorney “fails to act or acts in an untimely manner, 

resulting in harm to his or her client,” generally this Court finds 

a violation of MLRPC 1.1. Attorney Grievance Commission v. 

Thomas, 440 Md. 523, 551, 103 A.3d 629, 646-647 (2014). 

[Good] failed to provide competent representation to 

both Ms. Tubman and Ms. Lewis in that she failed to continue 

to represent them during their Chapter 13 bankruptcy 

proceedings despite their requests for information. [Good] 

failed to act with the requisite legal knowledge, skill, 

thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for the 

representation thereby violating RPC 1.1.

[Good] also violated RPC 1.1 for Mr. Newman’s case. 

[Good] did little to no discernable work on Mr. Newman’s case 

after she was retained to file his USPTO application. 

Respondent’s conduct supports a violation of RPC 1.1 
10 

Rule 1.2(a)7

MLRPC 1.2(a) requires that an attorney abide by a client’s decisions concerning the 

objectives of the representation and, when appropriate, consult with the client as to the 

means by which those objectives are to be pursued. Addressing Blaine White’s complaint, 

the hearing judge concluded that Good violated Rule 1.2(a) when she failed to “fully 

 

7 Rule 1.2 Scope of Representation and Allocation of Authority Between Client 

and Lawyer

(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.

(b) A lawyer’s representation of a client, including 

representation by appointment, does not constitute an 

endorsement of the client’s political, economic, social or moral 

views or activities. 

(c) A lawyer may limit the scope of the representation in 

accordance with applicable Maryland rules if (1) the limitation 

is reasonable under the circumstances, (2) the client gives 

informed consent, and (3) the scope and limitations of any 

representation, beyond an initial consultation or brief advice 

provided without a fee, are clearly set forth in a writing, 

including any duty on the part of the lawyer under Rule 1-324 

to forward notices to the client. 

(d) A lawyer shall not counsel a client to engage, or assist a 

client, in conduct that the lawyer knows is criminal or 

fraudulent, but a lawyer may discuss the legal consequences of 

any proposed course of conduct with a client and may counsel 

or assist a client to make a good faith effort to determine the 

validity, scope, meaning or application of the law. 
11 

prosecute the White’s [sic] case with their informed consent.” The judge also found a 

violation of Rule 1.2(a) when Good failed to file papers seeking discharge for Jeanne 

Delaney in her bankruptcy proceeding. In addition, the hearing judge determined that 

Good violated Rule 1.2(a) when she failed to file an amended petition on behalf of Joseph 

Chester after he “repeatedly asked” her to do so. The judge wrote that Good “continually 

ignored [Chester’s] entreaties to assist him” and that this conduct supported a violation of 

Rule 1.2(a). 

The hearing judge concluded that Good’s failure “to fully execute her clients’ 

objectives” and her actions while representing Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul 

Newman constituted a violation of Rule 1.2(a). The judge pointed to Good’s failure to 

provide Tubman with information concerning her bankruptcy as well as her decision to 

withdraw from Tubman’s case without first consulting her client as support for a Rule 1.2

violation. The hearing judge highlighted Good’s failure to respond to requests for 

information by Lewis and her performing almost no legal services concerning Newman’s 

patent application as additional violations of Rule 1.2. 

Rule 1.38

MLRPC 1.3 stipulates that a “lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and 

promptness in representing a client.” The hearing judge concluded that Good’s failure to 

file a response to Chase’s motion to dismiss within the time specified by the court, failure 

 

8 Rule 1.3 Diligence

A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness 

in representing a client.
12 

to respond to Chase’s motion for sanctions, and failure to inform the Whites that they had 

leave to file a second amended complaint before she “abandon[ed]” their case constituted 

a violation of Rule 1.3. The judge determined that Good also violated Rule 1.3 when she 

failed to file papers seeking discharge, which “could have resulted in the dismissal” of 

Jeanne Delaney’s bankruptcy.

Further, the hearing judge found that Good failed to represent Joseph Chester with 

reasonable diligence and promptness when she failed to file an amended plan as ordered 

by the bankruptcy court, which resulted in the dismissal of Chester’s bankruptcy. The 

judge also concluded that Good violated Rule 1.3 when she initially filed bankruptcy 

petitions on behalf of Eriss Tubman and Cynthia Lewis but “failed to complete the 

representation.” Finally, the judge cited Good’s deficient representation of Paul Newman 

in his patent application as another violation of Rule 1.3. 

Rule 1.4(a) and (b)9

MLRPC 1.4 mandates that attorneys communicate with their clients. The hearing 

judge identified many instances in which Good failed to act in accordance with this rule. 

 

9Rule 1.4 Communication

(a) A lawyer shall:

(1) promptly inform the client of any decision or 

circumstance with respect to which the client's 

informed consent, as defined in Rule 1.0(f), 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 lawyer’s conduct when the 
13 

As to the complaint of Blaine White, the judge concluded that Good violated Rule 1.4 “by 

failing to respond to both Mr. and Mrs. White’s separate requests for information regarding 

their case.” The judge explained that “Mr. and Mrs. White frequently contacted [Good], 

but she failed to respond to any of their phone calls or emails.” Additionally, the judge 

concluded that Good’s failure to “communicate to her clients that there was a need to file 

a [s]econd [a]mended [c]omplaint” supported a finding of a Rule 1.4 violation. 

The judge also concluded that Good violated Rule 1.4 when she “failed to return 

[Jeanne] Delaney’s phone calls regarding requests for updates concerning her case.” In 

addition, the judge concluded that Good initially communicated with Joseph Chester, but 

“as time progressed,” Good “failed to communicate with him regarding updates concerning 

his case.” The judge stated that Good’s behavior denied Chester the “opportunity to make 

informed decisions regarding his representation.” The judge also found that Good 

“repeatedly failed to communicate” with Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul Newman: 

“[Good] failed to respond to her clients’ requests for information and failed to update them 

on the status of their legal matters in violation of RPC 1.4.” 

 

lawyer knows that the client expects assistance 

not permitted by the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules 

of Professional Conduct or other law. 

(b) A lawyer shall explain a matter to the extent reasonably 

necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions 

regarding the representation. 
14 

Rule 1.5(a)10

MLRPC 1.5(a) provides that a “lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or 

collect an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses.” Regarding the 

complaint of Blaine White, the hearing judge concluded Good violated Rule 1.5 and 

explained: 

Good billed a flat fee of $500.00, which on its face was 

not an excessive fee. However, the court finds that [Good’s] 

overall billing charges were unreasonable, considering her 

inability to complete Mr. and Mrs. White’s case. 

Part (4) of RPC 1.5(a) contemplates the amount of fees 

involved and the results obtained, which is perhaps the most 

glaring example of why [Good’s] billing was excessive. 

[Good] failed to complete the legal matter for which she was 

hired, with the exception of the initial and amended filing of 

the complaint. 

 

10 Rule 1.5 Fees

(a) A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect 

an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses. 

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 of 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; 

(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.
15 

The judge also concluded that Good violated Rule 1.5 while representing Jeanne 

Delaney. The judge reasoned that Good was paid $4,904 to complete Delaney’s 

bankruptcy yet “failed to perform the legal services for which she was retained and 

therefore was not entitled to the entire $4,904.00 fee.” As to Joseph Chester’s complaint, 

the judge stated that Good’s “failure to pursue [Chester’s bankruptcy] to its conclusion 

resulted in her obtaining an excessive fee” and concluded that this violated Rule 1.5. 

Additionally, the hearing judge concluded that Good violated Rule 1.5 in her 

representation of Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul Newman. The judge cited our 

recognition that fees charged when little or no work is performed are unreasonable fees 

under Rule 1.5(a) and offered the following support for her conclusion: 

According to [Good’s] retainer agreement, [Good] was hired 

by Ms. Lewis for: 

a. Analysis of the debtor’s financial situation 

and rendering advice to the debtor in determining 

whether to file a petition in bankruptcy and if so 

under which Chapter of Bankruptcy. 

b. Preparation and filing of any petition, 

schedules, statement of financial affairs, and 

plan which may be required; and 

c. Representation of the debtor at the initial 

meeting of creditors and confirmation hearing, 

and any adjourned hearings thereof. 

[Good] did not adhere to the terms of her representation 

agreement in its entirety for Ms. Lewis. [Good’s] failure to 

communicate with the bankruptcy trustee in Ms. Lewis’s case 

violated both (b) and (c) of her representation agreement. She 

also failed to earn her attorney’s fees for Ms. Tubman’s and 

Mr. Newman’s cases.11

 

11 Internal citation to exhibits omitted.
16 

Rule 1.15(a), (c), and (d)12

MLRPC 1.15 requires attorneys to maintain their clients’ property in safekeeping. 

The hearing judge found that Good “initially provided records of transactions” for Blaine 

White, but after June 2013, “failed to provide any information related to the safekeeping 

of Mr. and Mrs. White’s funds.” Likewise, the judge concluded that Good violated Rule 

 

12 Rule 1.15 Safekeeping Property

(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, 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 

lawyer and shall be preserved for a period of at least five years 

after the date the record was created. 

* * * 

(c) Unless the client gives informed consent, confirmed in 

writing, to a different arrangement, a lawyer shall deposit legal 

fees and expenses that have been paid in advance into a client 

trust account and may withdraw those funds for the lawyer’s 

own benefit only as fees are earned or expenses incurred. 

(d) Upon receiving funds or other property in which a client or 

third person has an interest, a lawyer 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, a lawyer 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. 
17 

1.15 when, in late 2013, she “failed to provide any information related to the safekeeping 

of [Joseph] Chester’s funds” despite initially providing records of transactions for Chester. 

Regarding the complaints of Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul Newman, the 

judge concluded that Good violated Rule 1.15(a), (c), and (d). The judge wrote:

[Good] failed to return unearned attorney’s fees or 

provide records for her compensation in violation of RPC 

1.15(a). [Good] did not maintain records and she kept 

unearned attorney’s fees in each clients’ matter.

*** 

[Good] did not obtain informed consent from Ms. 

Tubman, Ms. Lewis and Mr. Newman to keep unearned 

attorney’s fees and [did] not return them to her clients in 

violation of RPC 1.15(c). 

*** 

[Good’s] failure to promptly deliver unearned legal fees 

to Ms. Tubman, Ms. Lewis and Mr. Newman after she 

ostensibly withdrew from their cases violates RPC 1.15(d). 

Rule 1.16(d)13

MLRPC 1.16 requires attorneys to protect their clients’ interests when declining or 

terminating representation. The hearing judge determined that Good violated Rule 1.16(d) 

 

13 Rule 1.16. Declining or Terminating Representation

(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 or expense that has not 

been earned or incurred. The lawyer may retain papers relating 

to the client to the extent permitted by other law.
18 

when she failed to return client files to Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul Newman. 

Specifically, the judge highlighted Good’s failure to return Newman’s original drawings 

related to his patent application. The judge also identified Good’s failure “to notify Ms. 

Tubman that she was withdrawing from her bankruptcy case, prior to filing a Motion to 

Withdraw” in concluding that Good violated Rule 1.16(d). 

Rule 8.1(b)14

MLRPC 8.1 prohibits attorneys from failing to respond to inquiries for information 

from a disciplinary authority. The hearing judge concluded that Good violated Rule 8.1(b) 

when she “failed to respond to any of Bar Counsel’s letters related to the complaints filed 

by [Eriss] Tubman, [Cynthia] Lewis, and [Paul] Newman.” 

Rule 8.4(a), (c), and (d) 

MLRPC 8.4 provides in part: 

It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to:

(a) violate or attempt to violate the Maryland 

Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct, 

 

14 Rule 8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters

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: 

(a) knowingly make a false statement of material 

fact . . . . 

(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. 
19 

knowingly assist or induce another to do so, or 

do so through the acts of another; 

*** 

(c) engage in conduct involving dishonesty, 

fraud, deceit or misrepresentation; 

(d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the 

administration of justice . . . .

The hearing judge concluded that Good’s violations of the MLRPC in representing 

Blaine White, Jeanne Delaney, Joseph Chester, Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul 

Newman established a violation of Rule 8.4(a). 

The judge determined that Good violated Rule 8.4(c) and (d) when she failed to 

provide competent legal services to Mr. and Mrs. White after being retained by them. 

Similarly, the judge concluded that Good violated Rule 8.4(c) and (d) when representing 

Jeanne Delaney:

[Good] failed to act on Ms. Delaney’s behalf after both the 

bankruptcy court and Ms. Delaney informed her that Ms. 

Delaney’s bankruptcy would be dismissed without [Good] 

taking action to file an affidavit on her behalf. [Good] also 

retained Ms. Delaney’s entire fee for a matter that she did not 

complete. Such behavior violated RPC 8.4(c). 

[Good’s] indifference to Ms. Delaney’s precarious 

time-sensitive filing that could have resulted in the dismissal 

of her case, constituted conduct prejudicial to the 

administration of justice, in violation of RPC 8.4(d).

In addition, the judge concluded that Good’s promising to file an amended plan on 

Joseph Chester’s behalf but failing to do so constituted a violation of Rule 8.4(c). The 

judge also concluded that Good violated Rule 8.4(d) when she “fail[ed] to prosecute” 
20 

Chester’s bankruptcy and noted that the “negligent handling” of this matter resulted in the 

dismissal of Chester’s bankruptcy. 

Regarding the complaints of Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul Newman, the 

hearing judge found that: 

[Good’s] failure to return unearned attorney’s fees after not 

performing the legal services for which she was compensated 

for by Ms. Tubman, Ms. Lewis, and Mr. Newman violated 

RPC 8.4(c). [Good] additionally failed to return Mr. 

Newman’s original drawings to him after his repeated requests 

in violation of both 8.4(c) and 8.4(d). [Good’s] abandonment 

of her clients further demonstrates a clear violation of Rule 

8.4(d). 

Section 10-306 of the Maryland Code, Business Occupations and Professions Article 

Section 10-306 of the Maryland Code, Business Occupations and Professions 

Article 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.” The hearing judge concluded 

that Good violated § 10-306 in her handling of unearned attorney’s fees in the Eriss 

Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul Newman matters. The judge explained that: 

[Good] did not refund unearned attorney’s fees to either Ms. 

Tubman or Ms. Lewis for the portion of the work that she did 

not complete related to their bankruptcies. Additionally, 

[Good] failed to refund any attorney’s fees for Mr. Newman’s 

USPTO application matter for which she produced no tangible 

work. [Good’s] conduct thereby was a misuse of trust money 

in violation of § 10-306 of the Maryland Code, Business 

Occupations and Professions Article. 
21 

DISCUSSION 

As we recently explained: 

“In attorney discipline proceedings, this Court has 

original and complete jurisdiction and conducts an independent 

review of the record.” Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. Bleecker, 

414 Md. 147, 167, 994 A.2d 928, 940 (2010) (citations 

omitted). “We accept a hearing judge’s findings of fact unless 

we determine that they are clearly erroneous.” Att’y Grievance 

Comm’n v. Edib, 415 Md. 696, 706, 4 A.3d 957, 964 (2010) 

(quoting Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. Guida, 391 Md. 33, 50, 

891 A.2d 1085, 1095 (2006)). That deference is appropriate 

because the hearing judge is in a position to assess the 

demeanor-based credibility of the witnesses. Id. at 707, 4 A.3d 

at 964. In that regard, “[t]he hearing judge is permitted to ‘pick 

and choose which evidence to rely upon’ from a conflicting 

array when determining findings of fact.” Guida, 391 Md. at 

50, 891 A.2d at 1095 (quoting Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. 

Fezell, 361 Md. 234, 253, 760 A.2d 1108, 1118 (2000)). 

We review de novo the hearing judge’s proposed 

conclusions of law. Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. Ugwuonye, 

405 Md. 351, 368, 952 A.2d 226, 236 (2008). In other words, 

“the ultimate determination . . . as to an attorney’s alleged 

misconduct is reserved for this Court.” Att’y Grievance 

Comm’n v. Garfield, 369 Md. 85, 97, 797 A.2d 757, 764 (2002) 

(quoting Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. Thompson, 367 Md. 315, 

322, 786 A.2d 763, 768 (2001) (alteration in original)). In that 

regard, we examine the record to ascertain whether there was 

sufficient evidence to support the hearing judge’s legal 

conclusions, by a “clear and convincing” standard of proof. 

Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. Siskind, 401 Md. 41, 54, 930 A.2d 

328, 335 (2007). 

Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. Tanko, 427 Md. 15, 27–28, 45 A.3d 281, 288 (2012). 

Exceptions 

Neither Good nor Bar Counsel notes any exceptions to the hearing judge’s findings 

of fact or conclusions of law. Thus, we shall accept the hearing judge’s “findings of fact 
22 

as established for the purpose of determining appropriate sanctions.” Md. Rule 16-

759(b)(2)(A). In addition, based upon our review without deference to the hearing judge’s 

conclusions of law, we agree that Good violated the following MLRPC provisions: Rule 

1.1; Rule 1.2(a); Rule 1.3; Rule 1.4(a) and (b); Rule 1.5(a); Rule 1.15(a), (c), and (d); Rule 

1.16(d); Rule 8.1(b); and Rule 8.4(a), (c), and (d). We also agree that Good violated § 10-306 

of the Maryland Code, Business Occupations and Professions Article. 

Sanction 

As a general principle, when a lawyer is found to have engaged in misconduct, this 

Court sanctions the lawyer not to punish the lawyer, but to protect the public and to 

maintain confidence in the legal profession. Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. Greenleaf, 438 

Md. 151, 163, 91 A.3d 1066, 1073 (2014). In attorney discipline cases, the appropriate 

sanction depends on the facts and circumstances of each case, including our assessment of 

aggravating and mitigating factors promulgated by the American Bar Association. Att’y 

Grievance Comm’n v. Coppock, 432 Md. 629, 648, 69 A.3d 1092, 1102 (2013). We also 

keep in mind that sanctions should be “commensurate with the nature and gravity of the 

violations and the intent with which they were committed.” Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. 

Stein, 373 Md. 531, 537, 819 A.2d 372, 375 (2003). 

Here, Bar Counsel recommends that Good be disbarred. In its Recommendation for 

Sanction, Bar Counsel directs the Court’s attention to five aggravating factors found in 

Standard 9.22 of the American Bar Association’s Compendium of Professional 
23 

Responsibility Rules and Standards.15 Bar Counsel points to Good’s dishonest or selfish 

motive (Standard 9.22(b)), her pattern of misconduct (Standard 9.22(c)), her multiple 

offenses (Standard 9.22(d)), her failure to respond to requests during the disciplinary 

process (Standard 9.22(e)), and the vulnerability of the victims affected by the conduct 

(Standard 9.22(h)). Indeed, the hearing judge found by clear and convincing evidence that 

Good’s conduct fell within these aggravating factors. Consequently, these factors support 

a sanction of disbarment.

When determining the appropriate sanction, we must also consider any mitigating 

factors. Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. Roberts, 394 Md. 137, 165, 904 A.2d 557, 574 (2006) 

(“The appropriate sanction depends on the facts and circumstances of each case, including 

any mitigating factors.”); see Coppock, 432 Md. at 648, 69 A.3d at 1102. The hearing 

 

15 Aggravating factors include:

(a) prior disciplinary offenses; 

(b) dishonest or selfish motive; 

(c) a pattern of misconduct;

(d) multiple offenses; 

(e) bad faith obstruction of the disciplinary proceeding by 

intentionally failing to comply with rules or orders of the 

disciplinary agency; 

(f) submission of false evidence, false statements, or other 

deceptive practices during the disciplinary process; 

(g) refusal to acknowledge wrongful nature of conduct; 

(h) vulnerability of victim; 

(i) substantial experience in the practice of law;

(j) indifference to making restitution; 

(k) illegal conduct, including that involving the use of 

controlled substances. 

American Bar Association, Compendium of Professional Responsibility Rules and 

Standards, Standards for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions § 9.22 (1992).
24 

judge in this proceeding found no mitigating factors, and there is no reason to upset that 

finding. See Att’y Grievance Comm’n v. West, 378 Md. 395, 411, 836 A.2d 588, 597 (2003) 

(“On review, we keep in mind that the findings of the trial judge are prima facie correct 

and will not be disturbed unless clearly erroneous.”). 

Pertaining to Good’s failure to communicate with her clients, her egregious 

abandonment of client cases, her repeated ignoring of clients’ requests for status updates, 

and her failure to return unearned fees as well as original design drawings in a patent 

application matter, we are guided by our holding in Attorney Grievance Commission v. 

Heung Sik Park, 427 Md. 180, 46 A.3d 1153 (2012). In that case, we held that: 

[D]isbarment is the appropriate sanction when an attorney 

abandons a client by failing to pursue the client’s interests, 

failing to communicate with the client, ignoring a client’s 

repeated requests for status updates, terminating the 

representation without notice by failing wholly to provide 

effective services, and failing to return unearned fees. 

Id. at 196, 46 A.3d at 1162. Good’s conduct while representing Blaine White, Jeanne 

Delaney, Joseph Chester, Eriss Tubman, Cynthia Lewis, and Paul Newman fits well within 

the dictates of Park. 

Accordingly, we conclude that disbarment is the appropriate sanction. For this 

reason, we entered the November 6, 2015 per curiam order disbarring Tamara Renee Good.