Opinion ID: 2286297
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Robinson Case

Text: Around July 1996, Michael Ray Robinson retained respondent to represent him in a criminal case before the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, Maryland. The Circuit Court twice denied respondent's request to appear pro hac vice. In October 1996, Kelly Woolfolk, Esq., began working for respondent on a part-time basis, and respondent enlisted her agreement to enter an appearance in the case with him. The Circuit Court admitted respondent for the limited purpose of appearing... as co-counsel. About two months later, Ms. Woolfolk took a job with the federal government and informed respondent that she could no longer work for him. Communications concerning the case were sent by the court to respondent's office address, but he did not notify Ms. Woolfolk. When the court questioned him about her absence at trial, respondent informed the court that he did not know her whereabouts or the reason for her absence. Subsequently, respondent represented falsely to the court that Ms. Woolfolk was ill and that she was in California. The Circuit Court entered an order for Ms. Woolfolk to show cause why she should not be held in contempt of court for failing to appear at trial. The order was sent to her at respondent's office address, but respondent never notified her. Ms. Woolfolk learned through a friend about the problem in Maryland because of her failure to appear, and the friend suggested that she call the court. Ms. Woolfolk called respondent, who advised her not to worry because he had informed the court that she had a family emergency in California. Respondent encouraged Ms. Woolfolk to back up his story, and dictated a letter to the court containing the false story. Ms. Woolfolk sent the letter to her mother in California with instructions for her to mail the letter to the Circuit Court. At the conclusion of the sentencing in the Robinson case, the court held Ms. Woolfolk in contempt, issued a writ of attachment and set bond at $10,000. This time, respondent informed her of the court's action and directed her to write the court a second letter apologizing with the false explanation that she was still in California. Ms. Woolfolk complied and had the letter sent to the court by facsimile transmission. She requested an opportunity to appear before the court in Maryland and informed respondent of her intention to tell the truth. Respondent told her to stick with the story and nobody will know. Ms. Woolfolk appeared in court and informed it truthfully about the deception and respondent's knowledge of, and role in it. The Board accepted the Hearing Committee's conclusions that respondent violated the following disciplinary rules in connection with the Robinson case: Rule 3.3(a) (knowingly making false statements of material fact to a tribunal); Rule 5.1(b) (failing to make reasonable efforts to ensure that a lawyer under his supervision conformed to the rules of professional conduct); Rule 5.1(c) (responsibility for his subordinate's violations which he ordered or ratified with knowledge of the violation); Rule 8.4(a) (knowingly assisting or inducing another to violate rules of professional conduct); Rule 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation); Rule 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct that seriously interferes with the administration of justice). The foregoing factual findings demonstrate respondent's violation of the rules cited. Respondent contends that he would have challenged Ms. Woolfolk's credibility if he had participated in the hearing. Respondent's proffer in his brief before this court comes too late. In light of our disposition of respondent's due process claim, respondent presents no grounds for overturning the findings of the Hearing Committee and the Board with respect to the charges related to these events.