Opinion ID: 2317184
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Charges Against Manning, Watts and Wilpon

Text: Each of the three Maryland attorneys executed employment agreements with Hyatt Legal Services containing some or all of the restrictions mentioned above. As noted, it was not until the Inquiry Panel made its report to the Review Board that any allegation was made that these agreements violated the disciplinary rules. Thus, the first opportunity respondents had to present any arguments regarding the validity of the restrictions occurred after this Court referred the matter to Judge Chasanow. The respondents argue that had they been given notice of the alleged violations prior to or during the Inquiry Panel proceedings, and an opportunity for a hearing on the matter, the issue would in all probability have dropped out of the case because of the Attorney Grievance Commission's past willingness to resolve similar alleged violations through negotiation and the willingness of all respondents, including Joel Hyatt, to rewrite the agreements in question. Respondents had notice of the employment agreement violation charges with the institution of disciplinary proceedings in this Court, and they had an opportunity to be heard on the matter at the hearing before Judge Chasanow; consequently, no constitutional issue under In Re Ruffalo, 390 U.S. 544, 88 S.Ct. 1222, 20 L.Ed.2d 117 (1968), would appear to be presented. See Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. McBurney, 282 Md. 116, 124 n. 1, 383 A.2d 58, 63 n. 1 (1978). Nevertheless we believe that, under the circumstances of this case, the charges against Manning, Watts and Wilpon should be dismissed without prejudice. Counsel for respondents acknowledged that all parties to the employment contracts were willing to rewrite the agreements to conform to the Code of Professional Responsibility. Indeed, all parties demonstrated a desire to adapt the agreements to all provisions of the Code. The agreements themselves provided that the paragraph containing the restrictions is not to be construed as restricting, in any way, [the attorney's] right to practice law after any termination of ... employment.... Furthermore, Judge Chasanow found as a fact that Hyatt Legal Services had never tried to enforce the restrictive provisions of the employment agreements. In addition, Bar Counsel has made no recommendation regarding a sanction against Manning, Watts and Wilpon. Under the circumstances we shall dismiss the charges against these three respondents, although without prejudice should Bar Counsel deem it necessary to re-file the same charges if resolution of the employment agreement issue proves unsuccessful.