Opinion ID: 2302582
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: MLRPC 1.16(d): Declining or Terminating Representation

Text: When a client requests his or her file from an attorney at the end of the representation, MLRPC 1.16(d) requires the attorney to surrender the portions of the file (or a copy) to which the client is entitled (assuming no proper charging lien exists). Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Edib, 415 Md. 696, 715-17, 4 A.3d 957, 969-70 (2010); Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. De La Paz, 418 Md. 534, 554, 16 A.3d 181, 193-94 (2011) (citing McCulloch, 404 Md. at 399, 946 A.2d at 1016). Here, Sweitzer, Cartzendafner, and Phoebus requested their case files after ending their engagements with Respondent. He failed to comply with their requests, thereby violating MLRPC 1.16(d).