Opinion ID: 2391955
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Awuah's Exceptions

Text: Awuah claims that the trial court did not understand immigration law and that Bar Counsel did not provide an expert to assist the trial judge. The detailed findings of fact, which are prima facie correct, not to be disturbed unless clearly erroneous, Blum, 373 Md. at 293, 818 A.2d at 230 (citing Wallace, 368 Md. 277, 793 A.2d 535), entered by the trial judge in the record, refute Awuah's contention, and were he to have wished to present any expert to the court, he could have under Md. Rule 5-702. A trial judge is presumed to know the law. See Ball v. State, 347 Md. 156, 206, 699 A.2d 1170, 1194 (1997); see also Medical Mutual v. Evans, 330 Md. 1, 34, 622 A.2d 103, 119 (1993) (stating that judges are also presumed to know the law and lawfully and correctly to apply it) (citing Smith v. State, 306 Md. 1, 8, 506 A.2d 1165, 1168 (1986)). The trial judge clearly understood the law and the situation with which she was dealing. Second, Awuah alleges that he acted without intent when he practiced law in Maryland because he was licensed in the District of Columbia and he only practiced immigration law. The findings of fact clearly refute this contention. Respondent was suspended in Maryland as of July of 1997, effective August 28, 1997, and in the District of Columbia on September 16, 1999. He represented Mr. Brobbey until July of 2000, Mr. Ouedraogo during 2000 and Mrs. Okusaga during 2000. Awuah also continued to use his legal letterhead and business cards, upon which there was no mention of his privilege to practice having been suspended in Maryland nor that his practice was limited solely to immigration law. It is undisputed that Respondent did not have an office in the District of Columbia; Awuah practiced law in Maryland where he maintained his only officehis protestations to the contrary are unavailing. See Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Harris-Smith, 356 Md. 72, 737 A.2d 567 (1999). The business card of Respondent, introduced in evidence through Mrs. Okusaga as having been received in 2000, includes a line Auto Accidents  Immigration  Divorce  Criminal Defense, reflecting a broader practice.