Opinion ID: 1711314
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the impact of baldwin's apparent continued participation in the practice of law.

Text: ¶ 24. An additional issue remains concerning Baldwin's apparent continued participation in the practice of law since his disbarment. After reading the deposition testimony of Baldwin and putting the big picture together, it has come to light that Baldwin is either practicing law, participating in the practice of law, or placing himself in such a position that he gives the appearance of practicing law. None of this works in his favor on this petition. ¶ 25. The following facts make this issue impossible to ignore: (1) Gerald Baldwin also goes by the name of Jerry Baldwin; [2] (2) Baldwin's attorney office address before being disbarred has not changed and he still receives mail at that address; (3) Baldwin's partner in MAGMED, is also an attorney. Her attorney office address is exactly the same as Baldwin's before disbarment and now; (4) Baldwin's attorney office telephone number before his disbarment is still listed on page 81 of the yellow pages section designated Attorneys of the 2003 BellSouth Telephone Book for the Greater Jackson Area under the name of attorney Jerry Baldwin; (5) Jerry Baldwin's law office phone number is also used as the law office number for Baldwin's current partner in MAGMED; (6) When Michael B. Martz, the Mississippi Bar General Counsel, called Baldwin's MAGMED partner's law office before the taking of depositions, he was more than surprised to find Baldwin answering the phone for the law office; (7) At least three attorneys use 607 Hwy 51 Ridgeland, Mississippi as their address for their law offices and use the same receptionist; and (8) Two of the attorneys using the same law office address wrote letters of recommendation for Baldwin. ¶ 26. These facts amount to more than suspicion. Baldwin still holds himself out as an attorney and has continued to get mail and list his telephone number in his capacity as an attorney. Furthermore, the additional facts listed above create at the very least the appearance of practicing law. ¶ 27. Recently, this Court refused to grant a petition for reinstatement after concluding that the disbarred attorney continued to maintain an office in his old law office building which at a minimum, [created] the appearance of the practice of law in contravention of our order of disbarment. In re Parsons, 2003 WL 21982905 at  (¶ 18), 890 So.2d 40, 44 (Miss.2003). Under the circumstances, Baldwin did more than just create the appearance of practicing law. He appears to even hold himself out to the public as an attorney. ¶ 28. Despite all of Baldwin's contentions and heartfelt arguments about his recovery, we still must agree with the Mississippi Bar regarding denial of reinstatement.