Opinion ID: 3156792
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: MLRPC 8.4(d)

Text: MLRPC 8.4(d) provides that it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to “engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.” “Generally, a lawyer violates MLRPC 8.4(d) where the lawyer's conduct negatively impacts the public’s perception of the legal profession.” Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Basinger, 441 Md. 703, 712, 109 A.3d 1165 (2015) (quoting Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. McDowell, 439 Md. 26, 39, 93 A.3d 711 (2014)). “The prejudice to the administration 18 of justice may also be measured by the practical implications the attorney’s conduct has on the day-to-day operation of our court system.” Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Hamilton, 444 Md. 163 118 A.3d 958 (2015) (quoting Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Smith, 442 Md. 14, 31, 109 A.3d 1184, 1194 (2015)). Whether there has been a negative impact is judged by an objective standard. Basinger, 441 Md. at 716. Here, Mr. Stanalonis, a candidate for judicial office, made a statement in a campaign flyer about the views of his opponent, Judge Densford. The hearing judge concluded that the statement reflected negatively on the legal profession because the Stanalonis campaign made it without “conducting a full and thorough investigation” into its accuracy. Nevertheless, Mr. Stanalonis had a “demonstrable basis” for believing the statement and, according to his own testimony (which the hearing judge credited), did believe it. It is hard to imagine that making such a statement would negatively impact that public’s perception of the legal profession, except insofar as any campaign material that slights the qualifications of an opponent has a negative impact on the public perception of the opponent who, as in this case, is an attorney who holds public office.15 But such a standard would be incompatible with the State’s current policy, incorporated in the State Constitution, of holding contested elections 15 One might therefore read MLRPC 8.4(d) to prohibit all campaign material on behalf of a lawyer that negatively portrays an opponent in an election, because all such material might negatively impact the public’s perception of the legal profession. However, such an interpretation would raise a serious First Amendment question, and, in light of the canon of constitutional avoidance, we decline to interpret it in this way. 19 for circuit court judgeships and public legal officers such as the Attorney General and State’s Attorneys. Accordingly, there was no violation of MLRPC 8.4(d). Disposition For the reasons set forth above, the Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial Action is dismissed. Although we have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to establish a violation of the MLRPC, our disposition of this case should not be taken to endorse the use of (in Judge Densford’s words) “antics and semantics” in contested judicial elections. Every Maryland attorney takes an oath to act “fairly and honorably.”16 Those who seek judicial office must resist the temptation to advance at the risk of violating that pledge. IT IS SO ORDERED. PETITIONER SHALL PAY ALL COSTS AS TAXED BY THE CLERK OF THE COURT, INCLUDING THE COST OF ALL TRANSCRIPTS, PURSUANT TO MARYLAND RULE 16-761, FOR WHICH JUDGMENT IS ENTERED IN FAVOR OF JOSEPH MICHAEL STANALONIS AGAINST THE ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION. 16 Maryland Code, Business Occupations & Professions Article, §10-212. 20 Circuit Court for Prince George’s County Case No. CAE14-04639 Argued: September 9, 2015 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF MARYLAND Misc. Docket AG No. 74 September Term, 2013 ______________________________________ ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND v. JOSEPH M. STANALONIS ______________________________________ Barbera, C.J. Battaglia Greene Adkins McDonald Watts Harrell, Jr., Glenn T. (Retired, Specially Assigned), JJ. ______________________________________ Concurring and Dissenting Opinion by Watts, J. ______________________________________ Filed: November 23, 2015 Respectfully, I concur in part and dissent in part. I would hold that Joseph M. Stanalonis (“Stanalonis”), Respondent, violated Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct (“MLRPC”) 8.2(a) (Judicial and Legal Officials) and MLRPC 8.4(d) (Conduct That Is Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice).1 Accordingly, I would reprimand Stanalonis. I disagree with the Majority’s determination that clear and convincing evidence did not support the hearing judge’s conclusion that Stanalonis violated the MLRPC. See Maj. Slip Op. at 16, 19-20. Plainly put, clear and convincing evidence supports the hearing judge’s conclusion that Stanalonis violated MLRPC 8.2(a) and 8.4(d). MLRPC 8.2(a) provides: A lawyer shall not make a statement that the lawyer knows to be false or with reckless disregard as to its truth or falsity concerning the qualifications or integrity of a judge, adjudicatory officer or public legal officer, or of a candidate for election or appointment to judicial or legal office. Recently, in Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Frost, 437 Md. 245, 262-63, 85 A.3d 264, 274 (2014), this Court explained MLRPC 8.2(a) in greater detail, stating: The Preamble to the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct provides that “[6] . . . a lawyer should further the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system because legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend on popular participation and support to maintain their authority.” In other words, “[m]embers of the legal profession have a responsibility to refrain from engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.” Attorney 1 I agree with the Majority that clear and convincing evidence did not support the hearing judge’s conclusion that Stanalonis violated MLRPC 8.4(c) (Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit, or Misrepresentation). See Maj. Slip Op. at 16-18. The hearing judge gave no separate analysis that warranted finding Stanalonis violated MLRPC 8.4(c) independent of MLRPC 8.2(a). Absent any analysis of why a reckless disregard for the truth constitutes a violation of MLRPC 8.4(c), I concur with the Majority on this point. Grievance Comm’n v. DeMaio, 379 Md. 571, 581, 842 A.2d 802, 808 (2004). [MLRPC] 8.2(a) furthers this principle by requiring lawyers to refrain from impugning the qualifications or fitness of judicial and public legal officers. As Comment [1] to MLRPC 8.2(a) clarifies, “[e]xpressing honest and candid opinions on such matters contributes to improving the administration of justice. Conversely, false statements by a lawyer can unfairly undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.” See also In re Simon, 913 So. 2d 816, 824 (La. 2005) (“While a lawyer[,] as a citizen[,] has a right to criticize [judges, judicial officers or public legal officers] publicly, he [or she] should be certain of the merit of his [or her] complaint, use appropriate language, and avoid petty criticisms, for unrestrained and intemperate statements tend to lessen public confidence in our legal system.”). In other words, the purpose of [MLRPC] 8.2(a) is not to protect judges, judicial officers, or public legal officials from unkind or undeserved criticisms. Rather, [MLRPC] 8.2(a) protects the integrity of the judicial system, and the public’s confidence therein, and it does so in a limited way. Statements in violation of [MLRPC] 8.2(a) must (1) be false, (2) impugn the integrity or qualifications of judges, judicial officers or public legal officers, and (3) be made by the attorney knowing them to be false or with reckless disregard for their truth or falsity. (Ellipsis and some alterations in original) (footnote omitted). MLRPC 8.4(d) provides: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to . . . engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice[.]” “Generally, a lawyer violates MLRPC 8.4(d) where the lawyer’s conduct negatively impacts the public’s perception of the legal profession.” Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. McDowell, 439 Md. 26, 39, 93 A.3d 711, 719 (2014) (citation, ellipses, and internal quotation marks omitted). Stated otherwise, a lawyer violates MLRPC 8.4(d) where the lawyer’s conduct “tends to bring the legal profession into disrepute.” Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Reno, 436 Md. 504, 511, 83 A.3d 781, 785 (2014) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). In Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Marcalus, 442 Md. 197, 205, 112 A.3d 375, 379 (2015), we further explained: -2- In determining whether a lawyer violated MLRPC 8.4(d) by engaging in conduct that negatively impacted the public’s perception of the legal profession, this Court applies the objective standard of whether the lawyer’s conduct would negatively impact the perception of the legal profession of a reasonable member of the public . . . , not the subjective standard of whether the lawyer’s conduct actually impacted the public and/or a particular person (e.g., a complainant) who is involved with the attorney discipline proceeding. (Citations, internal quotation marks, and brackets omitted) (ellipsis in original). Here, Stanalonis, while running for Judge of the Circuit Court for Saint Mary’s County, disseminated campaign flyers that stated that his opponent, Judge David W. Densford (“Judge Densford”), among other things, “[o]pposes registration of convicted sexual predators.” At the disciplinary hearing, Stanalonis testified that he based the assertion that Judge Densford “[o]pposes registration of convicted sexual predators” on: (1) his personal knowledge that Judge Densford, while serving as a defense lawyer, routinely opposed the registration of his clients in the Maryland Sex Offender Registry; and (2) his conversations with other prosecutors in the St. Mary’s County Office of the State’s Attorney. Judge Densford testified that he could not recall ever expressing opposition to the registration of convicted sexual offenders in general, but stated that, as a defense lawyer, he did attempt to avoid the registration of his clients in particular, explaining: “[W]hat I had opposed is my clients pleading to things that would get them registered as sexual offenders, if I could keep that from happening.” The hearing judge found that Stanalonis “had a demonstrable basis for believing that [Judge] Densford opposed the Sex Offender Registry.” Nonetheless, the hearing judge also found that the only measure Stanalonis took to verify the truth of the assertion was to “s[eek] input” from his campaign volunteers, who did not dispute the veracity of the -3- assertion. The hearing judge concluded that Stanalonis “was obligated to make a more substantial effort in ensuring the accuracy of the proffered statement, and he failed to do so.” As such, the hearing judge determined that Stanalonis “acted with reckless disregard to the truth of the statement that Judge Densford ‘Opposes the registration of convicted sexual predators.’” Under these circumstances, I would agree with the hearing judge that Stanalonis violated MLRPC 8.2(a). As Judge Densford’s testimony demonstrated, while representing individual criminal defendants, Judge Densford attempted to prevent his clients from pleading guilty to crimes that would result in registration as sex offenders; there is no evidence that Judge Densford expressed publicly or privately a general opposition to the registration of convicted sex offenders. Having a demonstrable basis for holding a particular belief is not the same as knowing that the belief is true or accurate. For example, I may believe that Christmas will be on a Saturday in 2016 because it is on a Friday in 2015. I have a demonstrable basis for my belief, but my belief is inaccurate. Checking the calendar would advise that Christmas will be on a Sunday in 2016 because 2016 is a leap year. Having a demonstrable basis for believing something does not give a lawyer license to publish such information as though it were accurate or fact. In making the statement on campaign flyers that Judge Densford “[o]pposes registration of convicted sexual predators[,]” Stanalonis acted with reckless disregard for the statement’s truth or accuracy. Indeed, Stanalonis knew only that, as a defense lawyer, Judge Densford had attempted to have his clients not be required to register as sex offenders. And, as such, Judge Densford was acting in his capacity as an attorney pursuing his clients’ interests. Stanalonis’s -4- statement that Judge Densford “[o]pposes registration of convicted sexual predators” impugned the integrity and qualifications of Judge Densford and was made with reckless disregard for its truth or falsity. This was all that was needed to support the hearing judge’s conclusion that Stanalonis violated MLRPC 8.2(a). I would also agree with the hearing judge that Stanalonis violated MLRPC 8.4(d) by disseminating campaign flyers stating that Judge Densford “[o]pposes registration of convicted sexual predators.” Although Stanalonis did not make the statement with actual knowledge its inaccuracy, he acted with a reckless disregard as to the statement’s truth or falsity, and failed to undertake meaningful efforts to ensure that the statement was accurate. Indeed, other than his personal observations of Judge Densford when Judge Densford was a defense lawyer and some discussions with prosecutors in the St. Mary’s County Office of the State’s Attorney, the only measure that Stanalonis took to test the veracity of his theory was to “s[eek] input” from his campaign volunteers, none of whom apparently contradicted him. Even viewing it in the most favorable light to Stanalonis, the statement did not accurately describe what Judge Densford did when he was a defense lawyer. Such conduct “would negatively impact the perception of the legal profession of a reasonable member of the public[.]” Marcalus, 442 Md. at 206, 112 A.3d at 380 (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). Indeed, no reasonable member of the public would expect a lawyer to make an inflammatory statement on campaign flyers concerning a sitting Judge’s opinion of the Maryland Sex Offender Registry with a reckless disregard for the truth and without taking measures to ensure the statement was accurate in the first instance. Such a cavalier attitude toward the truth “reinforces the most damaging cynicisms -5- concerning lawyers’ honesty, avarice, and candor.” Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Levin, 438 Md. 211, 228, 91 A.3d 1101, 1111 (2014). Based on Stanalonis’s violations of MLRPC 8.2(a) and 8.4(d), in accord with the Commission’s recommendation, I would reprimand Stanalonis. Cf. Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Basinger, 441 Md. 703, 721-22, 109 A.3d 1165, 1176 (2015) (This Court reprimanded a lawyer who violated MLRPC 8.4(d) by mailing to a client letters in which he called the client, among other things, “A TRUE C[]T[.]”); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Mahone, 398 Md. 257, 268-69, 920 A.2d 458, 464-65 (2007) (This Court reprimanded a lawyer who violated MLRPC 8.4(d) by, among other things “disrupting the court proceedings and . . . walking out while the trial judge rendered his oral opinion from the bench[.]”); Attorney Grievance Comm’n v. Gansler, 377 Md. 656, 701-02, 693, 835 A.2d 548, 574-75, 569 (2003) (This Court reprimanded a lawyer who violated MLRPC 3.6(a) (Trial Publicity) by making extrajudicial statements about a defendant’s confession, discussing a plea offer made to another defendant, and providing his opinion as to the guilt of two defendants.). For the above reasons, respectfully, I concur in part and dissent in part. -6- Circuit Court for Prince George’s County Case No.CAE14-04639 Argued September 9, 2015 IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF MARYLAND Misc. Docket AG No. 74 SEPTEMBER TERM, 2013 ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND v. JOSEPH M. STANALONIS Barbera, C.J., Battaglia, Greene, Adkins, McDonald, Watts, Harrell, Glenn T., Jr. (Retired, Specially Assigned), JJ. Dissenting Opinion by Harrell, J. Filed: November 23, 2015 I dissent. My views regarding the appropriate disposition of this case are informed by the aphorism “Judicial Elections Are Different.”1 Contested circuit court judgeship elections are different than other types of contested elections for public office because special rules and processes distinguish them as a category apart. They should be treated and seen as different also because of the unique nature of the office being sought. In addition to complying with State election laws generally, judges’ political activities are regulated by Rule 4.1 through 4.6 of the Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct (Md. Rule 16-813). Attorneys who seek judicial office are regulated by Rule 8.2 of the Maryland Lawyers Rules of Professional Conduct (MLRPC) (Md. Rule 16-814). These regulations aim to protect the integrity of judicial office and the legal profession. The Maryland Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee (MJCCC) was formed to focus attention on and foster integrity and civility in this specific genre of the Maryland judicial election process. It was the MJCCC (having received a complaint from an attorney) that highlighted for the 1 This is also the title of a pamphlet published by the Maryland Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee (MJCCC), an organization created in 2005, at the behest of former Chief Judge Robert M. Bell of this Court and the Judicial Ethics and Public Trust and Confidence Committees of the Maryland Judicial Conference. The MJCCC was formed to foster integrity and civility in contested elections for Maryland circuit court judgeships. Attorney Grievance Commission the problematic conduct of Stanalonis that resulted in the charges brought in the present case.2 No such inhibitions regulate or seek to influence the contestants or the contests for other elective offices. Thus, contested judicial elections in Maryland are different from other electoral contests. 2 The MJCCC website, explaining the organization’s “Statement of Purpose,” characterizes why it seeks to uphold dignity in the conduct of contested judicial elections for circuit court judgeships: The frankly partisan, occasionally bare knuckles, conduct that we have come to tolerate in campaigns for legislative and executive office are inconsistent with the dignity we rightly count on in those who hold judicial office. The exaggerated rhetoric often employed in contemporary discussions of political issues, when used in the context of judicial elections, is corrosive of the public’s perception of the integrity of the court system. Such campaign tactics damage the integrity of the judiciary -- regardless of whether the communication falls within the ambit of constitutionally protected speech. Maintaining the dignity of the judiciary is necessary to protect the rule of law --- a root principle of our social compact and the one sure standard upon which this diverse and frequently fractious nation believes it can rely. The rule of law promises justice, neutrality and fairness. It does not exaggerate to say that the concept has an iconic status and that faith in the rule of law is akin to a civil religion. Judges are symbols of the rule of law. Therefore, those who aspire to judicial office have a special responsibility -- a duty in fact-- to conduct themselves in their campaigns with a dignity that reflects and honors the public’s reverence for the unique office they seek. Candidates for circuit court judgeships in an election are offered the opportunity by the MJCCC to pledge publicly to conduct themselves and their campaigns in accordance with the hortatory standards published by the MJCCC. Stanalonis chose not to make this pledge. Of course, that fact alone does not bear directly on the outcome of this case, but it gains prescience in hindsight. 2 As the Majority opinion appears to concede, the present case, as it reaches us, distills to the single question of “whether the statement in Mr. Stanalonis’ campaign flyer [that Judge Densford, as a judge, ‘[o]pposes registration of convicted sexual predators’] was made . . . with reckless disregard as to its truth or falsity.” Maj. slip op at 8 (footnote omitted). The hearing judge concluded that Stanalonis violated the Maryland Lawyers’ Rule of Professional Conduct (MLRPC) 8.2(a) and MLRPC 8.4(c) and (d) by including that statement in his flyer. I stand with her. So as not to risk paraphrasing or summarizing inaccurately or incompletely the evidence weighed by the hearing judge and the conclusions she reached from that evidence (after assessing the relative credibility of the two main antagonists here), I recount what she stated relevantly in her findings of fact and conclusions of law: