Opinion ID: 2351753
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether Discipline Should Be Imposed in the District of Columbia

Text: Under D.C.App.R. XI, § 11, the Court will impose reciprocal (identical) discipline unless the attorney demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that one of five conditions exists that would warrant different treatment in this jurisdiction. Unless Respondent establishes an exception, this jurisdiction recognizes a presumption that the same discipline imposed elsewhere should be imposed here on a reciprocal basis. In re Gardner, 650 A.2d 693 (D.C.1994). Respondent has made no attempt here to demonstrate that any exception applies, and none of the exceptions is clear on the face of the information submitted to us regarding the Maryland discipline. There is no question that the misconduct found in Maryland constitutes misconduct in the District of Columbia. The Maryland rule provisions regarding misrepresentation, diligence, communication and candor toward the tribunal are almost identical to Rules in effect in the District of Columbia. See District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(c), 8.4(d), 1.3(c) and 1.4(a). While the Maryland Rule prohibiting conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice lacks the qualifying language that the conduct must seriously interfere that is found in our Rule 8.4(d), there is no doubt that misrepresentations to a tribunal constitute a violation of our rule. See In re Hutchinson, 534 A.2d 919 (D.C.1987) ( en banc ). A 60-day suspension is on the lenient end of the range of sanctions for repeated, written misrepresentations of fact to a tribunal and failure to respond promptly to discovery and to serve motions and responses on opposing counsel. It is within the range of sanctions here, however, particularly taking into account that Respondent apparently has no prior discipline. [1] See In re Jackson, 650 A.2d 675, 678 (D.C.1994) (appended BPR report observing that sanctions in dishonesty and misrepresentation cases have ranged from public censure to one-year suspensions); In re Ontell, 593 A.2d 1038 (D.C.1991) (30-day suspension for neglect and misrepresentation to client); In re Rosen, 481 A.2d 451 (D.C.1984) (30-day suspension for three separate written misrepresentations to a court). For the foregoing reasons, the Board recommends that the Court impose reciprocal discipline of a 60-day suspension from the practice of law in the District of Columbia, effective from Respondent's filing of his affidavit of compliance with the provisions of D.C.App.R. XI, § 14(g), which Respondent has not filed in connection with his interim suspension. BOARD ON PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY ____________________ Patricia A. Brannan Date: __________ All members of the Board concur in this Report and Recommendation.