Attorney Grievance v. Hodgson, Misc. Docket AG No. 55, September Term, 2005.
Decision Date | 08 December 2006 |
Docket Number | Misc. Docket AG No. 55, September Term, 2005. |
Citation | 396 Md. 1,912 A.2d 640 |
Parties | ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMISSION OF MARYLAND v. Melinda Porcher HODGSON. |
Court | Court of Special Appeals of Maryland |
Marianne J. Lee, Asst. Bar Counsel (Melvin Hirshman, Bar Counsel, Atty. Grievance Com'n), for petitioner.
No argument on behalf of respondent.
Argued before BELL, C.J., RAKER, WILNER, CATHELL, HARRELL, BATTAGLIA, and GREENE JJ.
The Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, the petitioner, by Bar Counsel, acting pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-751,1 filed a Petition For Disciplinary Or Remedial Action against Melinda Porcher Hodgson, the respondent. The petition charged, consistent with allegations made against the respondent by two complainants, that the respondent violated Rules 1.3, Diligence,2 1.4, Communication,3 8.1, Bar admission and disciplinary matters,4 and 8.4, Misconduct,5 of the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct, as adopted by Maryland Rule 16-812.
We referred the case, pursuant to Rule 16-752(a),6 to the Honorable Sherrie L Krauser of the Circuit Court for Prince George's County, for hearing and to make recommended findings of fact and conclusions of law. The respondent was served as permitted by Maryland Rule 16-753,7 through the Client Protection Fund. When the respondent did not answer the petition, an order of default was entered against her. Following a hearing, at which, despite being notified as to the date and time, the respondent did not appear, the hearing court, pursuant to Rule 16-757(c),8 found facts by the clear and convincing standard, as follows:
On the basis of the foregoing findings of fact, the hearing court concluded that the respondent engaged in the professional misconduct, as charged by the petitioner and that each of the charged Rule violations was established by his acts and omissions. Specifically, the court opined:
Neither the petitioner nor the respondent has taken exceptions to the hearing court's findings of fact or conclusions of law. Indeed, the respondent, although notified of the proceedings in this Court, did not file any pleadings or appear at oral argument. Consequently, for purposes of sanction, we treat the findings of fact as established. Rule 16-759(b)(2)(A).9 See Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Logan, 390 Md. 313, 319, 888 A.2d 359, 363 (2005). Moreover, upon our de novo review of the hearing court's conclusions of law, Rule 16-759(b)(1),10 we are satisfied that they follow from, and are supported by, the court's factual findings, which, again, have...
To continue reading
Request your trial-
Attorney Grievance Comm'n of Md. v. Mahone
...Attorney Grievance Comm'n. v. Mba–Jonas, 397 Md. 690, 700, 919 A.2d 669, 675, 2007 WL 816836, *4 (2007); Attorney Grievance Comm'n. v. Hodgson, 396 Md. 1, 6–7, 912 A.2d 640, 644 (2006); Attorney Grievance Comm'n. v. McLaughlin, 372 Md. 467, 493, 813 A.2d 1145, 1160 (2002); Attorney Grievanc......
-
Attorney Grievance Comm'n of Md. v. Stillwell
...Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Mba–Jonas, 397 Md. 690, 700, 919 A.2d 669, 675, 2007 WL 816836, *4 (2007); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Hodgson, 396 Md. 1, 6–7, 912 A.2d 640, 644 (2006); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. McLaughlin, 372 Md. 467, 493, 813 A.2d 1145, 1160 (2002); Attorney Grievance C......
-
Attorney Grievance Comm'n of Md. v. Mahone
...Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Mba-Jonas, 397 Md. 690, 700, 919 A.2d 669, 675, 2007 WL 816836, *4 (2007); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Hodgson, 396 Md. 1, 6-7, 912 A.2d 640, 644 (2006); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. McLaughlin, 372 Md. 467, 493, 813 A.2d 1145, 1160 (2002); Attorney Grievance C......
-
Attorney Grievance Comm'n of Md. v. Stillwell
...Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Mba-Jonas, 397 Md. 690, 700, 919 A.2d 669, 675, 2007 WL 816836, *4 (2007); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. Hodgson, 396 Md. 1, 6-7, 912 A.2d 640, 644 (2006); Attorney Grievance Comm'n v. McLaughlin, 372 Md. 467, 493, 813 A.2d 1145, 1160 (2002); Attorney Grievance C......