Opinion ID: 2361926
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The reciprocal discipline matter.

Text: In the Maryland proceeding, Lopes acknowledged that he had neglected a matter involving a foreclosure on real estate purchased at a tax sale. He further admitted that he had not responded accurately or in timely fashion to requests for information from his client, that he had misrepresented the status of the legal matter to the client and to the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission, and that he had failed to cooperate in the disciplinary investigation. [1] On October 22, 1997, the Maryland Court of Appeals entered an order, by consent, suspending Lopes from practice in that jurisdiction for a period of ninety days. Reinstatement was conditioned upon Lopes' payment of $1,000 to the Client Security Trust Fund and upon Lopes' engagement of a practice monitor, who was to make regular reports to Bar Counsel for two years following Lopes' readmission. On July 29, 1998, Lopes was reinstated in Maryland, but he did not remain in good standing for long. On November 13, 1998, less than four months after his readmission, Lopes was suspended from practice once again, this time for failure to comply with the conditions of his reinstatement. It appears that Lopes had failed to make the required payment to the Client Security Trust Fund and had not secured a court monitor to supervise his practice. Lopes attributes his noncompliance to shortage of funds. So far as we are aware, Lopes remains under suspension in Maryland.