Attorney Grievance Commission v. Litman

Attorney Grievance Commission v. Donald Saunders Litman, Misc. Docket AG No. 81,
September Term, 2013
ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE – RECIPROCAL ACTION – EXCEPTIONAL
CIRCUMSTANCES – CONDUCT WARRANTS SUBSTANTIALLY DIFFERENT
DISCIPLINE
An attorney, admitted in Maryland and Pennsylvania, was disciplined in Pennsylvania for
failing to represent competently his client, misrepresenting intentionally facts and law to
a tribunal, making frivolous contentions, and interfering with the administration of
justice. Although the attorney was subject only to a public censure by the Supreme Court
of Pennsylvania, his conduct warrants substantially different discipline in Maryland for
his violation of MLRPC 1.1, 1.16(a)(1), 3.1, 3.3(a), and 8.4(a), (c) and (d).
ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE – RECIPROCAL ACTION – PUBLIC CENSURE
There is no Maryland sanction analogous exactly to Pennsylvania’s sanction of public
censure. Pennsylvania’s public censure falls, in level of severity in Maryland’s sanctions
hierarchy, between a public reprimand and a suspension.
ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE – INDEFINITE SUSPENSION
Court of Appeals suspended indefinitely, with a right to apply for reinstatement no sooner
than six months, the attorney who violated MLRPC 1.1, 1.16(a)(1), 3.1, 3.3, and 8.4(a),
(c) and (d) by failing to represent competently his client, misrepresenting intentionally
facts and law to a judicial tribunal, and making frivolous contentions, despite
demonstrating certain mitigating factors.
Argued: 3 September 2014
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
OF MARYLAND
Misc. Docket AG No. 81
September Term, 2013
ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION
OF MARYLAND
v.
DONALD SAUNDERS LITMAN
Barbera, C.J.,
Harrell,
Battaglia,
Greene,
Adkins,
McDonald,
Watts,
JJ.
Opinion by Harrell, J.
Filed: October 21, 2014
This reciprocal disciplinary action involves Donald Saunders Litman (“Litman” or
“Respondent”), who was admitted to the Bar of this Court on 18 January 1985 and to the
Bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1989. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
censured publically Litman on 27 November 2012 for violating certain of Pennsylvania’s
professional conduct and disciplinary rules. Pursuant to Maryland Rules 16-751 and 16-
773, the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, through Bar Counsel, filed a
Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial Action on 19 December 2013 against Litman based
on his misconduct in Pennsylvania. Bar Counsel attached to its Petition a certified copy
of the 12 July 2012 Order of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, a transcript of the public
censure, and the 6 March 2012 Report and Recommendation of the Disciplinary Board of
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
This Court issued a Show Cause Order on 20 December 2013. Bar Counsel, in its
response, argued that ordering corresponding discipline in Maryland would result in
grave injustice and, rather, that Litman’s misconduct warranted disbarment in Maryland.
Litman, in response, requested that this Court not impose any discipline as to do so would
result in grave injustice to him. He contended also that he was not afforded due process in
the Pennsylvania disciplinary proceedings. We entertained the parties’ oral arguments on
3 September 2014.
I. Facts
In reciprocal discipline cases, pursuant to Rule 16–773(g), the factual findings of
the originating jurisdiction are treated ordinarily as conclusive evidence of an attorney's
misconduct. Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Kourtesis, 437 Md. 436, 445, 87 A.3d 1231, 1235
(2014). This does not preclude necessarily us from considering other evidence provided
by the parties, id., but “we do not relitigate factual matters or a final adjudication by
another appropriate tribunal in a disciplinary proceeding.” Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Haas,
412 Md. 536, 546, 988 A.2d 1033, 1039 (2010). As it turns out, the material facts of the
present case are undisputed.1
The setting for what became Litman’s misconduct began before Litman
commenced his representation of his client in federal court in Pennsylvania. Hanoverian,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, submitted the winning bid for a Pennsylvania landfill sold
at auction pursuant to a U.S. Bankruptcy Court order. Hanoverian received a quitclaim
deed from the Bankruptcy Trustee on 9 April 2004. Neither the Bankruptcy Court’s order
nor the quitclaim deed purported to transfer the solid waste permit, issued by the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) to the previous owner,
Quaker Alloy, Inc., needed to operate the landfill.2 On 3 August 2004, Hanoverian
purchased the corporate name “Quaker Alloy, Inc.” from the Trustee, again pursuant to
1
Litman argues that the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania did
not afford him due process because it relied largely for the material facts of his
misconduct on the opinion of Chief Judge Yvette Kane of the U.S. District Court for the
Middle District of Pennsylvania, who did not entertain oral arguments or hold an
evidentiary hearing before issuing FRCP 11 sanctions in the underlying litigation where
the original misconduct arose that lead to the ethics charges. Litman stipulated before the
Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board, however, to the facts recited in Chief Judge Kane’s
opinion. The Board relied on those facts to recommend a sanction to the Supreme Court
of Pennsylvania. For those reasons, Litman’s due process argument is without merit.
2
According to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, an attempt to effect a transfer in this
fashion would have violated the Pennsylvania Code, 25 Pa. Code § 287.221 (2008).
2
the approval of the Bankruptcy Court. Neither the Bankruptcy Court’s order nor the sale
documents provided for the transfer of any rights under the DEP permit.
Between April 2004 and April 2006 Hanoverian and the DEP were in
communication about its assumption of operations at the landfill. Hanoverian’s President
and CEO, Donald Metzger, and its general counsel, Craig Edwards, met with
representatives of the DEP about the landfill’s status. In a letter dated 31 March 2006,
the DEP indicated that: (1) Hanoverian would most likely need to apply for a new permit
or obtain reissuance of the existing permit; (2) explained the DEP’s concerns with the
operation of the landfill; and (3) requested documentation demonstrating that Hanoverian
was authorized to do business in Pennsylvania. Edwards responded that the landfill was
being transferred to Quaker Alloy, Inc. and that, to his knowledge, Hanoverian was not
required to register in order to do business in Pennsylvania.
Fifteen days after Edward’s response, the DEP notified the Bankruptcy Trustee in
a letter that the solid waste permit had been revoked because of Quaker Alloy, Inc.’s
dissolution and abandonment of the permitted facility without providing for final physical
closure of its operation. The DEP sent a copy of the letter to Quaker Alloy’s address of
record, but the letter was returned as undeliverable. A notice of the revocation was
published in the 29 July 2006 issue of the Pennsylvania Bulletin (Pennsylvania’s
equivalent of the Maryland Register).
In June of 2006, Respondent joined Edwards in forming a law firm, Edwards &
Litman, whose sole clients were entities in Donald Metzger’s group of companies,
3
including Hanoverian. Edwards was the firm’s managing partner. He continued to act as
general counsel to Hanoverian and Metzger’s other companies.
After commencing representation of Hanoverian, Litman filed a notice of appeal
with the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board on behalf of “Hanoverian, Inc. d/b/a
Quaker Alloy,” challenging the DEP’s revocation of the solid waste permit.
Subsequently, the DEP declared forfeit the bond for the operation of the landfill,
submitted by Quaker Alloy prior to its bankruptcy, and commenced an action to collect
the bond. Litman responded with a second administrative appeal contesting the bond
forfeiture. On 7 December 2006, the Hearing Board issued orders granting motions by
the DEP to compel discovery from Hanoverian and consolidating Hanoverian’s appeals.
That same day, the DEP issued an Administrative Order charging Hanoverian and
Metzger with past and ongoing violations for operating the landfill without obtaining a
permit or submitting a bond, failing to implement an approved closure plan, and failing to
provide required water sampling and analysis. In response to this initiative, Litman
asserted, among other things, that Hanoverian had acquired Quaker Alloy, Inc. from the
Bankruptcy Trustee, along with Quaker Alloy’s interests in the permit.
On 26 December 2006, Edwards filed amendments to Quaker Alloy’s articles of
incorporation with the Corporations Bureau of the Pennsylvania Department of State. The
amendments provided that Hanoverian’s CEO, Metzger, was president, secretary, and
treasurer of Quaker Alloy; restructured the capitalization of the corporation; and stated
that the corporation would be known as Quaker Alloy, Inc. Hanoverian had applied
4
earlier to the Corporations Bureau for a certificate of authority and registration of the
name “Quaker Alloy.”
Hanoverian filed a third appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board on 8
January 2007, alleging that the DEP’s actions were unlawful under federal bankruptcy
law. Hanoverian, through Litman, alleged that the DEP: violated the automatic stay on
actions against the assets of the bankrupt entity without permission of the Bankruptcy
Court; failed to provide appropriate notice of the revocation of the permit and bond; and,
slandered Hanoverian through a press release that harmed allegedly the company’s
reputation and the reputation of the bankrupt entity. The Environmental Hearing Board
consolidated this appeal with the other two pending appeals.
On 19 April 2007, Litman filed a Notice of Removal, on behalf of Hanoverian,
Metzger, and Quaker Alloy, Inc., with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of
Pennsylvania, seeking to remove the consolidated administrative proceedings from the
Environmental Hearing Board to the District Court. The DEP moved to remand to the
Environmental Hearing Board and requested sanctions and attorney’s fees against Litman
and the parties named in the Notice of Removal. Both sides briefed their positions.3
The District Court remanded the case, as requested by the DEP, because the
Notice of Removal was untimely.4 Hanoverian was required to file the Notice of
3
Although Litman submitted his client’s brief 10 days late, the brief was considered by
the District Court.
4
The District Court did not reach the issue of whether it would have had jurisdiction if
the Notice of Removal had been timely, but suggested that it would not have jurisdiction.
5
Removal with the District Court within 30 days of the last Notice of Appeal filed with the
Environmental Hearing Board. Litman did not file the Notice of Removal until 91 days
after the relevant Notice of Appeal.
Litman’s conduct of the federal litigation was not well received by Chief Judge
Yvette Kane of the District Court. First, Litman argued that the Notice of Removal
should not be barred for untimeliness because the DEP did not provide actual notice of
the permit revocation or bond forfeiture. The District Court noted that this was inapposite
to the issue of timeliness. Further, the District Court stated there was “ample evidence”
that Hanoverian had constructive notice, including an unequivocal statement in its 28
August 2006 administrative Notice of Appeal, that it became aware of the revocation
through the publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. According to a Pennsylvania
statute, the DEP’s notice in the Bulletin was sufficient under Pennsylvania law.
Litman’s other arguments fared no better. According to Litman, the DEP refused
to comply with discovery until April 2007, which caused his delay in filing the Notice of
Removal. According to Chief Judge Kane, however, this contention lacked even “a shred
of support in the record.” The District Court found that it was, in fact, Hanoverian that
failed to comply with discovery.
Rather than confronting directly in his papers submitted to the District Court the
issue of the sanctions sought by the DEP, Litman counter-attacked, accusing the DEP of
corruption, mismanagement, and extortion. Chief Judge Kane found no evidence to
support these assertions. As a result of her views of Litman’s and his firm’s handling of
the federal litigation, the Chief Judge sanctioned Litman and his law firm, Edwards &
6
Litman, for their representation in the matter. Litman and his firm were ordered to pay
$5,555.17 in attorneys’ fees to the DEP.
The District Court sanctioned Litman and his firm under FRCP 11 for the
contentions and arguments in Hanoverian’s pleadings and papers filed in the case.
According to Chief Judge Kane’s opinion, Litman and the firm committed a number of
violations: mounting frivolous legal contentions; making gross misrepresentations of
existing law; making factual claims without evidentiary support; using misrepresentations
as a litigation tool to increase the cost of litigation for the DEP; not citing to the record in
pleadings and papers, thereby requiring circuitous research by the District Court; and,
failing to make a reasonable inquiry into the facts and law. Chief Judge Kane noted that
there was nothing to suggest that Litman was not acting in an intentional manner and
found no mitigating circumstances.
After the District Court remanded the case to the Environmental Hearing Board,
Litman resurrected before the Board the same factual and legal claims regarding the DEP
that had been discredited previously by the District Court.5 As a result, the DEP filed a
Motion for Sanctions for Litman’s misconduct in the administrative matter. In opposition
5
Although Litman stipulated to the operative facts relied on by the Disciplinary Board of
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, he continues to assert that the Environmental
Hearing Board was not bound by the decision of the District Court as to whether the
permit was appurtenant to the land or transferable freely (the District Court concluded
that it was not). In his submission to this Court, Litman cites a Superior Court of
Pennsylvania case which he claims supports his argument that the federal court’s decision
in this regard was not binding. Because this contention is immaterial to the overall pattern
of Litman’s frivolous contentions and misrepresentations, it is unnecessary for this Court
to opine on parochial Pennsylvania law in this regard.
7
to the motion for sanctions, Litman continued to assert that: (1) the sale of the landfill
approved by the Bankruptcy Court included the transfer of the permit; (2) Hanoverian
was the beneficial or equitable owner of the permit; and, (3) Quaker Alloy was the
permittee because the bankrupt entity’s assets and name had been acquired by
Hanoverian. Litman raised also several other frivolous arguments, such as arguing that
the DEP’s notices regarding the administrative sanctions contentions, addressed to
Edwards and the firm Edwards & Litman, at the address shared by Litman, were not
effective notice to Litman.
Hanoverian’s outstanding appeals before the Environmental Hearing Board were
mooted eventually by Hanoverian’s re-sale of the landfill, after which the new purchaser
sought a reissuance of the permit from the DEP and resolved by a settlement agreement,
dated 23 October 2008, the other outstanding disputes with the DEP, including the
pending motion for administrative sanctions.
On 18 October 2010, the Pennsylvania Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed a
Petition for Discipline against Litman, alleging professional misconduct for pursuing
frivolous and unwarranted legal remedies, engaging in a pattern of deliberate
misrepresentation, and failing to represent competently his client, Hanoverian, in the
federal litigation and administrative proceedings concerning the landfill permit. A Joint
Stipulation of Fact and Law was submitted by the parties. Litman acknowledged that his
filings before the federal court violated the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct,
but quixotically did not acknowledge that he did not have a basis to resurrect the same
claims in the administrative proceedings before the Board.
8
The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania found that Litman
violated Rules 1.1, 3.3(a)(3), and 8.4(c) and (d) of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional
Conduct.6 The Board found also that Litman’s cooperation with the investigation and
genuine remorse for his actions were mitigating factors. It recommended that Litman be
subject to a Public Censure before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania
Supreme Court summarized Litman’s violations of its Rules of Professional Conduct and
censured him before the Court on 27 November 2012.
The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, through Bar Counsel, contends
that Litman should be disbarred in Maryland for violating Rules 1.1, 1.16(a)(1), 3.1,
6
The text of the relevant Pennsylvania Rules are as follows:
Rule 1.1
A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client. Competent
representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and
preparation reasonably necessary for the representation.
Rule 3.3(a)(3)
A lawyer shall not knowingly . . . offer evidence that the lawyer knows to
be false. If a lawyer, the lawyer's client, or a witness called by the lawyer,
has offered material evidence before a tribunal or in an ancillary proceeding
conducted pursuant to a tribunal's adjudicative authority, such as a
deposition, and the lawyer comes to know of its falsity, the lawyer shall
take reasonable remedial measures, including, if necessary, disclosure to
the tribunal. A lawyer may refuse to offer evidence, other than the
testimony of a defendant in a criminal matter, that the lawyer reasonably
believes is false.
Rule 8.4(c) and (d)
It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: . . . (c) engage in conduct
involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation . . . [or] (d) engage
in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.
9
3.3(a), and 8.4(a), (c) and (d) of the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct
(“MLRPC”) in his representation of Hanoverian.7 Litman does not deny Bar Counsel’s
allegations of misconduct, but rather argues that disbarment is not the appropriate
7
The analogous Maryland Rules to the respective Pennsylvania Rules are:
MLRPC 1.1
A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client. Competent
representation requires the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness and
preparation reasonably necessary for the representation.
MLRPC 1.16(a)(1)
Except as stated in paragraph (c), a lawyer shall not represent a client or,
where representation has commenced, shall withdraw from the
representation of a client if the representation will result in violation of the
Maryland Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct or other law.
MLRPC 3.1
A lawyer shall not bring or defend a proceeding, or assert or controvert an
issue therein, unless there is a basis for doing so that is not frivolous. . . .
MLRPC 3.3(a)
A lawyer shall not knowingly: (1) make a false statement of fact or law to a
tribunal or fail to correct a false statement of material fact or law previously
made to the tribunal by the lawyer; (2) fail to disclose a material fact to a
tribunal when disclosure is necessary to avoid assisting a criminal or
fraudulent act by the client; (3) fail to disclose to the tribunal legal authority
in the controlling jurisdiction known to the lawyer to be directly adverse to
the position of the client and not disclosed by opposing counsel; or (4) offer
evidence that the lawyer knows to be false. If a lawyer has offered material
evidence and comes to know of its falsity, the lawyer shall take reasonable
remedial measures.
MLRPC 8.4
It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to: (a) violate or attempt to
violate the Maryland Lawyers' Rules of Professional Conduct, knowingly
assist or induce another to do so, or do so through the acts of another; (c)
engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation;
[or] (d) engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice;
....
10
sanction and highlights the mitigating factors found by the Disciplinary Board of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. He pleads also that the consequences of the
Pennsylvania public censure have been sanction enough for his misconduct.
The only factual disagreement pointed to by Litman is whether his
misrepresentations were to further a scheme. It is obvious to us, however, that Litman’s
intentional misrepresentations were to further his client’s interests and thus were placed
before tribunals to achieve a particular goal for the client. Further, Litman does not deny
that his tactics were calculated to delay the then pending proceedings in Pennsylvania.
II. Discussion
Although this Court is prone to imposing a corresponding sanction to that levied
by the originating jurisdiction, that does not mean we forego an assessment of the
propriety of the other jurisdiction’s sanction. Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Whitehead, 390 Md.
663, 668–69, 890 A.2d 751, 754 (2006). When our cases indicate clearly we would apply
a different sanction had the misconduct occurred in Maryland, we need not issue
corresponding discipline, even if such exists under Maryland’s sanctions hierarchy.
Kourtesis, 437 Md. at 447, 87 A.3d at 1237.
Our obligation to assess the sanction imposed by another jurisdiction stems from
this Court’s duty “‘to insist upon the maintenance of the integrity of the bar. . . .’” Atty.
Griev. Comm'n v. Myers, 333 Md. 440, 447, 635 A.2d 1315, 1318 (1994) (quoting
Maryland St. Bar Ass'n v. Agnew, 271 Md. 543, 549, 318 A.2d 811, 814 (1974)). “The
primary purpose of attorney discipline is the protection of the public, not the punishment
of the attorney.” Whitehead, 390 Md. at 674, 890 A.2d at 757. Consistent sanctions
11
against Maryland-licensed attorneys for like misconduct promotes general and specific
deterrence by indicating the standards members of the bar must adhere to and the
consequences for failing to do so. See Kourtesis, 437 Md. at 447, 87 A.3d at 1237;
Whitehead, 390 Md. at 675, 890 A.2d at 758; Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Sperling, 380 Md.
180, 190-91, 844 A.2d 397, 404 (2004).
The parties argue that this Court should impose different discipline here than did
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.8 Bar Counsel seeks disbarment of Respondent
because it believes Litman’s conduct warrants substantially different discipline in
Maryland under certain of our like cases. Respondent, in turn, argues that no further
discipline is required because the public censure of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
has shamed and admonished him adequately and its consequences resulted in limiting
adversely his practice and employment options since then. According to Litman’s view,
additional discipline in Maryland would be, in effect, piling-on.
A. The Appropriate Sanction in Maryland is an Indefinite Suspension
Respondent misrepresented intentionally facts and the law to both judicial and
administrative tribunals, demonstrated a lack of diligent research, failed to represent
8
There is no exact Maryland analog to the public censure sanction issued by the Supreme
Court of Pennsylvania. A public censure under Pennsylvania’s scheme involves the
disciplined attorney appearing personally before the Supreme Court and being
reprimanded verbally on the public record. According to Rule 204 of the Pennsylvania
Rules of Disciplinary Enforcement, public censure is a sanction less severe than a
suspension, but more severe than probation or a public reprimand. Compared to
Maryland’s sanctions hierarchy, a public censure would appear to be more severe than a
public reprimand, but less severe than a suspension, as contemplated by Maryland Rule
16-721.
12
competently his client, and employed frivolous arguments and filings in an effort to
interfere with the administration of justice. This constitutes a violation of MLRPC 1.1,
3.3(a), and 8.4(c) and (d). Even if, as Litman claims, his representation of Hanoverian
was an aberration in an otherwise competent and ethical legal career to that point, he
engaged in the same course of conduct twice in his representation of Hanoverian: once
before the federal court and again before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.
Further, Litman was made aware of the error of his way by the DEP, but took no
measures to remedy the situation. He either made deliberately the misrepresentations at
issue or blinded himself willfully to the falsity of his contentions.
Litman’s assertion that he relied on information supplied by his client and law
firm partner do not reduce his culpability. As Respondent notes, he had been a member of
our Bar for over twenty-five years at the time of the misconduct in question. His
experience makes even more troubling his failure to verify the so-called factual
statements and legal arguments upon which he relied, especially after the DEP notified
him of their lack of basis. Significant experience in the practice of law is an aggravating
factor in these circumstances. Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Coppola, 419 Md. 370, 407, 19
A.3d 431, 453 (2011) (citing Whitehead, 405 Md. at 263, 950 A.2d at 812; Atty. Griev.
Comm’n v. Mininsohn, 380 Md. 536, 576, 846 A.2d 353, 376 (2004); Atty. Griev.
Comm’n v. Garfield, 369 Md. 85, 106, 797 A.2d 757, 769 (2002); Atty. Griev. Comm’n v.
Harris, 371 Md. 510, 556, 810 A.2d 457, 485 (2002).
Attorney Grievance Commission v. Sperling, 432 Md. 471, 69 A.3d 478 (2013), is
informative in the instant case. In Sperling, an attorney sought to reopen his client’s
13
previously dismissed case by misrepresenting: facts about his pre-dismissal contact with
the clerk’s office; his present knowledge of the location of the defendant upon who his
client had not been able to serve process previously; and, the accuracy of the statements
in the plaintiff’s motions to re-open the case. Id., 432 Md. at 479-88, 69 A.3d at 482-88.
The attorney failed also to represent diligently his client or maintain adequate client
communications. Id., 432 Md. at 491, 69 A.3d at 489. Although the attorney undertook
representation of the case two months after being sworn-in to this Bar, the
misrepresentations to the tribunal were made a decade later. Id., 432 Md. at 479-87, 69
A.3d at 482-87. We concluded that this misconduct warranted indefinite suspension.
As we noted in Sperling, “[w]hile the sanction for dishonest conduct is generally
disbarment, ‘we have not, however, always found disbarment to be the appropriate
sanction when there is misrepresentation involved, especially when misappropriation of
money is not involved.’” 432 Md. at 497, 69 A.3d at 493 (quoting Atty. Griev. Comm'n v.
Lane, 367 Md. 633, 647, 790 A.2d 621, 629 (2002)). Indefinite suspension, as the base
sanction, is also appropriate in the present case. Id., 432 Md. at 498, 69 A.3d at 494.
Like the attorney in Sperling, Litman misrepresented facts to tribunals in an
attempt to further his client’s goals and failed to represent competently his client. In
addition, Litman advanced frivolous and unfounded legal arguments. On the mitigation
ledger, Litman showed remorse over his actions and acknowledged the seriousness of his
misconduct, unlike the attorney in Sperling. Yet, this mitigation is balanced against
Litman’s greater experience and the fact that he continued to advance the same faulty
claims after he was sanctioned by the District Court for making them.
14
Although Bar Counsel points to decisions of this Court in support of its
recommendation for disbarment, these cases seem to us distinguishable on the facts from
the present case. In Attorney Grievance Commission v. Fader, the attorney not only
forged a doctor’s note in order to obtain a court postponement, but also managed
inadequately his attorney trust account and had a prior disciplinary history. 431 Md. 395,
437, 66 A.3d 18, 43 (2013). In Attorney Grievance Commission v. McClain, the
disbarred attorney: filed several motions, without legal basis, as a delay tactic; reported a
“sham” settlement; misrepresented the statements of the trial judge to the Court of
Special Appeals; and, had been suspended previously from the practice of law. 406 Md.
1, 6-8, 18, 956 A.2d 135, 138-140, 145 (2008). In Attorney Grievance Commission v.
Siskind, there were no mitigating factors present. See, 401 Md. 41, 75, 930 A.2d 328, 348
(2007). In Attorney Grievance Commission v. Goodman, the disbarred attorney
impersonated another attorney for a period of two months and exhibited selfish motives,
in addition to misrepresenting facts to a tribunal. 381 Md. 480, 497, 850 A.2d 1157, 1167
(2004). Finally, in Attorney Grievance Commission v. Myers, the disbarred attorney had
been suspended previously by this Court for earlier dishonest conduct. 333 Md. 440, 448,
635 A.2d 1315, 1318 (1994).
Disbarment for misleading intentionally a tribunal may be the correct sanction in
many situations. In some cases, as it is here, an indefinite suspension is more appropriate.
Even a finite suspension may be appropriate in other cases. See, e.g., Atty. Griev. Comm'n
v. Gordon, 413 Md. 46, 64, 991 A.2d 51, 61 (2010) (suspending attorney for forty-five
days for violating MRPC 3.3(a)(1), 3.3(a)(4), and 8.4(c)); Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Tanko,
15
408 Md. 404, 426, 969 A.2d 1010, 1023-24 (2009) (suspending attorney for sixty days
for a violating rule 3.3 (a)). This Court “must examine the facts, circumstances, and
mitigation involved in each case and not take a procrustean approach.” Lane, 367 Md. at
646, 790 A.2d at 628.
1. Litman May Apply for Readmission No Sooner Than Six Months After the
Effective Date of His Indefinite Suspension
When our cases give such guidance, it is appropriate to state a minimum amount
of time that an attorney who has been suspended indefinitely must wait before re-
applying for the Bar. Although an indefinite suspension with no minimum “sit-out time”
may be considered less onerous because the suspended attorney may re-apply
immediately, providing some insight as to when we might be willing to consider an
application for reinstatement may prevent multiple frustrating attempts. Atty Griev.
Comm'n v. Sweitzer, 395 Md. 586, 606-7, 911 A.2d 440, 452 (2006) (Harrell, J.,
dissenting).
When we have set a minimum duration before an application for reinstatement
might be considered, after imposing an indefinite suspension resulting from violations of
MLRPC 8.4(c), we require typically at least six months. See, e.g., Atty. Griev. Comm'n v.
Robaton, 411 Md. 415, 431, 983 A.2d 467, 476-77 (2009) (imposing an indefinite
suspension with right to re-apply after six months for violations of MLRPC 1.1, 1.3,
3.3(a), 5.5(a),and 8.4(c) and (d)); Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Granger, 374 Md. 438, 462,
823 A.2d 611, 626 (2003) (imposing an indefinite suspension with right to re-apply after
six months for violations of MLRPC 8.1, and 8.4(c) and (d)); Atty. Griev. Comm'n v.
16
Cohen, 361 Md. 161, 179, 760 A.2d 706, 716 (2000) (imposing an indefinite suspension
with a right to apply after six months for violations of MLRPC 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 8.1(a), and
8.4(c) and (d)). But see Atty Griev. Comm'n v. Lawson, 401 Md. 536, 586, 933 A.2d 842,
871 (2007) (imposing an indefinite suspension with the right to re-apply after one year
for violating MLRPC 1.4(a), 1.4, 1.15, 1.16(d), 8.4(c) and (d), and Maryland rules on
client trust accounts); Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Brown, 353 Md. 271, 296, 725 A.2d 1069,
1081 (1999) (imposing an indefinite suspension with right to re-apply after one year for
violating MLRPC 1.3, 1.4, 3.1, 3.3(a)(1), 5.5(b), 7.1, 7.5(a) and (b), 8.1(b), and 8.4 (c)
and (d)); Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Middleton, 360 Md. 34, 50, 756 A.2d 565, 574 (2000)
(imposing and indefinite suspension with the right to re-apply after three years for
violations of MLRPC 1.1, 1.3, 3.3(a)(1), 8.1(b), and 8.4(c) and (d)). We have applied a
minimum sit-out period of less than six months, where an indefinite suspension is the
base sanction as a result of misrepresentations, only when the attorney did not make
knowingly the false statements. See Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Khandpur, 421 Md. 1, 26, 25
A.3d 165, 180 (2011) (accepting the findings of the hearing court that attorney’s false
statements were the result of laziness or ineptitude, but were not deceitful, and imposing
an indefinite suspension with the right to re-apply after sixty days for violating MLRPC
1.3, 1.15(a) and (c), 8.1(b), and 8.4(d)); Atty. Griev. Comm'n v. Mooney, 359 Md. 56, 98,
753 A.2d 17, 39 (2000) (not accepting the hearing court’s finding that attorney violated
MLRPC 8.4(c) and imposing an indefinite suspension with the right to re-apply after
ninety days for violating MLRPC 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 5.1, 5.3, and 8.4 (a) and (d)).
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In the instant case, Respondent admits that he made his misrepresentations
knowingly. The managing partner of Litman’s firm and Litman’s client may have
induced or pressured Litman into making his misrepresentations to the tribunals, but
Litman was still aware (or should have been aware) that they were misrepresentations
nonetheless. Many attorneys who violate their ethical obligations do so because of
perceived external pressure. Litman may apply for reinstatement in Maryland no sooner
than six months after the effective date of his indefinite suspension.
B. Suspending Litman Will Not Cause Grave Injustice
Litman argues that any Maryland sanction will result in grave injustice to him
because potential clients or employers might view the sanction as discipline for separate
misconduct occurring in Maryland. Moreover, the Pennsylvania public censure
disciplined him adequately. Therefore, Litman argues, this Court should not implement
even corresponding reciprocal discipline according to Maryland Rule 16-773(e)(3).9 We
disagree.
Although Respondent has expressed remorse and acknowledged the severity of his
misconduct (from the inception of the Pennsylvania disciplinary process) and may be
unlikely to engage in similar misconduct going forward, reciprocal discipline according
to our cases serves also purposes of general deterrence. Signaling to the Bar that conduct
9
Maryland Rule 16-773(e)(3) states: “[r]eciprocal discipline shall not be ordered if Bar
Counsel or the attorney demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the
imposition of corresponding discipline would result in grave injustice.”
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similar to Litman’s will not be tolerated in Maryland by attorneys admitted here is
essential to maintaining the integrity of our Bar.
The negative economic and social consequences faced by individual attorneys
subject to discipline are unfortunate, yet foreseeable, side effects of the necessary
deterrence of misconduct that respondents and this Court must accept in order to maintain
the integrity of the Bar and protect the public. Kourtesis, 437 Md. at 454, 87 A.3d at
1241; see Whitehead, 390 Md. at 675, 890 A.2d at 758; Sperling, 380 Md. at 191, 844
A.2d at 404. Economic side effects from otherwise appropriate discipline is not the kind
of grave injustice contemplated by Rule 16-773(e)(3). Kourtesis, 437 Md. at 454, 87 A.3d
at 1241.
III. Conclusion
In conclusion, we hold that Donald Saunders Litman’s conduct representing
Hanoverian in its federal court and administrative litigation with the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection violated MLRPC 1.1, 1.16(a)(1), 3.1, 3.3(a),
and 8.4(a), (c) and (d). There is no exact Maryland analog to the discipline imposed by
the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The misconduct, had it occurred in Maryland,
warrants clearly indefinite suspension. Respondent may apply, however, for
reinstatement in Maryland no sooner than six months from the effective date of his
suspension.
IT IS SO ORDERED. RESPONDENT
SHALL PAY ALL COSTS AS TAXED BY
THE CLERK OF THIS COURT,
INCLUDING THE COSTS OF ALL
TRANSCRIPTS, PURSUANT TO RULE 16-
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761, FOR WHICH SUM JUDGMENT IS
ENTERED IN FAVOR OF THE
ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION
OF MARYLAND AGAINST DONALD
SAUNDERS LITMAN.
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