Opinion ID: 2822141
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Resolution Of McGee’s Application For Relief

Text: McGee argues that when deciding not to open his grievance for formal investigation Bar Counsel used the wrong legal standard. McGee contends Bar Counsel refused to open a formal investigation because McGee had not proved an ethical violation by clear and convincing evidence at the grievance intake stage. We agree with McGee that the grievance process does not require presenting clear and convincing evidence of an ethical violation at the grievance intake stage. But we do not read the grievance-closing letter in the same manner as McGee.16 The grievance-closing letter reflects that, in addition to McGee’s submittals and arguments, Bar Counsel considered: (1) the ALJ decision and underlying record regarding the allegations of impropriety in OPA’s contracting process; (2) the Department of Administration’s report about OPA’s contracting process and McGee’s 16 McGee may be influenced in part by some inartful language by the Discipline Liaison in one of the other grievance files, mentioned above at note 15, affirming Bar Counsel’s decision not to open a formal investigation because McGee had not “overcome the evidentiary standard required to proceed with this grievance.” Bar Counsel actually had declined to open a formal investigation in that matter for essentially the same reasons Bar Counsel declined to open a formal investigation in this matter. -9- 7023 allegations of wrongdoing by OPA’s contract investigator and attorneys; and (3) the Department of Law’s response to McGee’s assertion that the Department of Administration’s investigative report was a “whitewash.” We conclude that Bar Counsel reasonably could determine that a formal investigation would not bring to light any new material facts relevant to McGee’s grievance. The letter also reflects the application of experience and professional judgment based on the existing record and relevant considerations: Bar Counsel provided a reasonable explanation that the known facts did not suggest a connection between OPA’s use of the investigator and any possible ethical violation by the attorney involved in this matter, that a violation would have to be proved to an area hearing committee by clear and convincing evidence, and that there was no good reason to use Bar resources to present a case to volunteer area hearing committee members when there was very little likelihood of proving an ethical violation. The Discipline Liaison reviewed McGee’s grievance file and the grievance-closing decision, as requested by McGee, and concurred that a formal investigation was unwarranted. McGee has not suggested that either Bar Counsel or the Discipline Liaison was improperly motivated or influenced in the decision-making process, and it is clear that there was no breakdown in the grievance process. Bar Counsel has discretion to close a grievance when further pursuit is unwarranted.17 Bar Counsel’s decision to close McGee’s grievance without a formal 17 We earlier noted that Bar Rule 22(c) allows Bar Counsel to dismiss a grievance after initiating a formal investigation if Bar Counsel determines that “there is no probable cause to believe that misconduct has occurred.” In light of our 2003 amendment to Rule 22(a), we interpret Rule 22(c)’s language to mean that, even after initiating a formal investigation, Bar Counsel may dismiss a grievance when further pursuit is not warranted in light of all the considerations applicable to closing a grievance (continued...) -10- 7023 investigation was not arbitrary or capricious, and we see no breakdown in the grievance process warranting interference with Bar Counsel’s decision.