Opinion ID: 1975492
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Failure to Properly Name and Designate Account

Text: Respondent opened the account titled Maryland Legal Services, Jack A. Bernstein, Esquire, IOLTA. He used the account as a client funds/trust account. The checks and deposit tickets for the account bear only Respondent's name and the address of his office without any of the three required designations: Attorney Trust Account, Attorney Escrow Account, or Clients' Funds Account. On the date of the hearing before this Court, his current account with First Mariner, by Respondent's own admission, was not titled properly. (See Petitioner's Exhibits 30, 32 and 33.) Subsequently, by way of a Motion to Alter and Amend and a Notice of Filing Amended Answer to Discovery, Respondent submitted proof that the First Mariner account is now properly titled, Jack A. Bernstein, Attorney, Escrow Account. The Court concludes that Respondent violated Rule 16-606 of the Maryland Rules regarding Attorney Trust Accounts. There is no evidence that Respondent charged unreasonable fees. The account records and Respondent's testimony show that the withdrawals for fees were approximately one-third of the settlement amount obtained.