Maryland Attorneys
FY14 Sanctions and Actions Affecting Licensure

The Maryland Judiciary provides this information as a public service. Information contained on this web site is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. For more information, or to determine if an attorney has been reinstated, please contact the Attorney Grievance Commission at (410) 514-7051.

This list is updated on a monthly basis.

AGBAJE, Taiwo A. – Disbarred on May 19, 2014, for a conflict of interest relating to a real estate investment venture with a client and for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

AKPAN, Emmanuel Damascus – Commission Reprimand by Consent for failing to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of his matter and for a conflict of interest.

BELL, Jimmy Anthony – Indefinite Suspension on July 8, 2013 (with the right to reapply after thirty (30) days), for failing to maintain proper records for various client matters over a two (2) year period.

BERRY, Steven Gene – Disbarred on January 14, 2014, effective immediately, by Per Curiam Order. The Court of Appeals Opinion dated February 26, 2014, cited reasons for the disbarment, concluding that Respondent took estate money for which he had no authorization from the Orphans’ Court and for submitting false accountings to the court to conceal the unauthorized disbursements.

BILLMYRE, John Gary – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on October 9, 2013, for failing to represent his clients with competence and for neglecting his clients’ cases.

BOCCHINO, David Eugene – Indefinite Suspension on November 25, 2013, for lack of competence, for failing to represent his clients with reasonable diligence and promptness causing a client’s case to be dismissed, for failing to communicate with a client about her case, for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation and for assisting a disbarred attorney in the unauthorized practice of law.

BOYD, Harold Lockwood, III – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on July 3, 2013 (with the right to reapply for admission after sixty (60) days) for failing to file his personal income tax returns on a timely basis for the years 2004 through 2009.

BRADLEY, Stephanie Yvonne (aka BRADLEY, Stephanie Y.) – Commission Reprimand for lack of diligence, for failing to adequately communicate with her client, for failing to provide legal services, for charging an unreasonable fee, for failing to deposit and maintain the client’s prepaid fee in an attorney trust account until earned and upon termination of the representation, for failing to take steps to the extent reasonably practicable to protect the client’s interests.

BRADLEY, Stephanie Yvonne – Interim Suspension on September 20, 2013, as a result of reciprocal action following her suspension in the District of Columbia on July 11, 2013.

BRADLEY, Stephanie Yvonne (aka BRADLEY, Stephanie Y.) – Indefinite Suspension on December 19, 2013, as a reciprocal action to her District of Columbia suspension, for failing to provide competent and diligent representation and for engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

BROWN, Ajile Fernandez – Commission Reprimand for failing to represent her client with competence, reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to communicate with the client concerning the status of her matter, and upon termination of the representation, for failing to surrender documents and property to her client.

BURSON, John Stephen – Reprimand by Consent on June 19, 2014, for failing to make any efforts to ensure that the law firm had in effect measures giving reasonable assurance that lawyers did not robo-sign documents and that notaries public did not falsely notarize documents.

COLTON-BELL, Julia – Disbarred on September 26, 2013, effective immediately, for failing to represent her client with competence and reasonable diligence; for failing to consult with and communicate with her client; for charging an unreasonable fee; for the unauthorized practice of law; and for failing to respond to a lawful demand for information by Bar Counsel.

COOPER, Latosha J. – Disbarred by Consent on December 16, 2013, for failing to represent her clients with competence, reasonable diligence and promptness, for misappropriation of client funds and for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit  or misrepresentation

COPPOCK, John Edward, Jr. – Reprimand on July 9, 2013, for making misrepresentations to a creditor to conceal his receipt of funds.

CROMER, Kelly Stebbins – Disbarred by Consent on February 20, 2014, effective immediately, for misappropriating estate funds, for committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness and/or fitness and for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

CUADRA, Tabatha Karina – Reprimand by Consent on October 21, 2013, for utilizing misleading advertisements to promote her law practice, for failing to comply with the requirements of Md. Code Ann., Bus. Occ. & Prof. §10-605.2 and for failing to promptly respond to lawful demands for information from Bar Counsel.

DAVIS, Dustin Paul – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on July 9, 2013, for his criminal conduct involving theft of personal property.

DAVY, Michelle – Disbarred on September 5, 2013, by a Per Curiam Order.  The Court of Appeals Opinion dated November 27, 2013, cited reasons for the disbarment, concluding that Respondent engaged in conduct involving dishonesty and misrepresentation and for conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

DEWAN, Kiran Moolchand – Disbarred by Consent on March 10, 2014, for his criminal conviction involving bribing an immigration officer.

DORE, Thomas Patrick – 90-day Suspension on August 20, 2013, effective September 19, 2013, for allowing his staff members to sign his name and falsely notarize his signature to documents to be filed in court.

FOX, Matthew Evan – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on December 4, 2013, for failing to represent his clients with competence, reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to respond to requests for information by his clients concerning their matters, for failing to take steps, to the extent reasonably practicable, to protect his clients’ interests and upon termination of representation, for failing to surrender documents and property to a client.    

FRAIDIN, Michael David – Disbarred on May 16, 2014, for mishandling client funds in his trust account and for executing a scheme to commit bankruptcy fraud.

FRIEDMAN, Joseph Lee – Disbarred on February 12, 2014, effective immediately, by Per Curiam Order. The Court of Appeals Opinion dated March 24, 2014, cited reasons for the disbarment, concluding that Respondent placed personal funds in his attorney trust account to avoid having the funds garnished by the IRS.

FROST, James Albert – Disbarred on February 26, 2014, for making knowingly false statements impugning the integrity and qualifications of several judges and public legal officers without any explanation or investigation of those allegations.

GEESING, George Jacob – 90-day suspension on December 3, 2013, for allowing his staff to sign his name and falsely notarize his signature on documents filed in foreclosure cases.

GIACOMAZZA, Michael Andrew – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on May 13, 2014, for failing to pay his child support obligation.

GORDON, Lowell J. – Commission Reprimand for failing to represent his client with competence, for failing to inform the client of any decisions to which the client’s consent is required and for failing to safe keep property of his client or third party separate from the lawyer’s property.

GRAY, Melissa Donnelle – Indefinite Suspension on January 24, 2014, effective 30 days from the date thereof, for failing to provide competent and diligent representation, for failing to take timely and appropriate actions to expedite litigation and for failing to respond to legal demands for information from Bar Counsel.  Respondent had previously received a Reprimand by Consent and a 60-day Suspension, from which she never applied for reinstatement.

GREENLEAF, Robert John – Disbarred on May 16, 2014, for using his employer’s computer to solicit sexual acts from an adolescent and for committing a criminal act.

HARMON, Anthony Maurice – Indefinite Suspension on August 19, 2013 (with the right to apply for reinstatement no sooner than six (6) months),  by Per Curiam Order and Opinion for commingling funds, for failing to properly maintain his attorney trust account and related financial records and for failing to respond to lawful demands for information from Bar Counsel.

HARMON, Anthony Maurice – Indefinite Suspension on October 21, 2013, effective immediately, for failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to adequately communicate with his clients, for charging an unreasonable fee and for failing to respond to lawful demands for information from Bar Counsel.

HICKEY, Michael Clifford, Jr. – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on August 14, 2013, for drafting a Will making himself and his wife beneficiaries of the client’s estate and for failing to timely notify the decedent’s sole heir of probate proceedings.

HOANG, John Thanh - Disbarred on August 19, 2013, effective immediately, by Per Curiam Opinion, for devising and carrying out a scheme to defraud the U.S. Government of funds by preparing tax returns with fraudulent deductions and for failing to file personal federal tax returns for eight (8) years.

HOERAUF, Gwyn Cara – 30 day Suspension by Consent on June 4, 2014, for failing to timely appear at a contempt hearing on behalf of her client, for failing to respond promptly to her client’s request for information and for failing to timely respond to lawful demands for information from Bar Counsel.

HOWELL, Sherrie T. - Suspended for one (1) year on August 21, 2013, effective thirty (30) days from the date thereafter, for transmitting contraband into a prison.

HUNT, Mark Edward – Disbarred on October 1, 2013, for failing to disclose his criminal activities on his Bar Application and submitting a false affirmation to the Board of Law Examiners.

JANEY, Neal Marcellas, Sr. – Reprimand by Consent on August 9, 2013, for knowingly failing to timely respond to lawful demands for information from Bar Counsel.

KINNARD, Denise Lashon – Disbarred by Consent on April 29, 2014, for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation related to her requests and acceptance of cash payments from her firm’s clients.

LANDAU, Lee Elliott – Disbarred on March 7, 2014, effective immediately, by Per Curiam Order. The Court of Appeals Opinion dated April 21, 2014, cited reasons for the disbarment, concluding that Respondent misappropriated client funds, failed to communicate with his client concerning the status of matters and failed to provide an accounting of funds he collected on her behalf.

LEVIN, Robert Norman – Reprimand on July 2, 2013, for a willful failure to honor a Writ of Garnishment and for failing to  notify a party who had an interest in the trust funds involved.

LEVIN, Ronald Marc – Disbarred on March 7, 2014, effective immediately, by Per Curiam Order.  The Court of Appeals Opinion, dated May 16, 2014, cited reasons for the disbarment, concluding that Respondent misrepresented his workload and created fictitious clients and papers to distort his net income and shield his salary from adjustments reflecting his lower than anticipated performance.

LEWIS, Glenn Charles – Disbarred on February 27, 2014, for failing to represent his client with competence, reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to respond to the client’s requests about the status of her matter, for failing to safe-keep the client’s property, for charging an unreasonable fee, for failing to return an unearned fee, for failing to maintain an attorney trust account, for record-keeping violations and for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

LU, Michael Wenyue – Reprimand by Consent on July 18, 2013, for failing to properly advise his client, causing the client to be unable to make an informed decision concerning an admission and for relaying to opposing counsel that his client would make the admission.

MAHONE, Daniel Quinn – 30-day Suspension on September 30, 2013, effective thirty (30) days from the date thereafter, for disruptive conduct in the courtroom, for disturbing the peace and for resisting arrest.

Markham, Christopher L. – Commission Reprimand for soliciting legal services in the state of Virginia where he was not admitted to practice law, for the unauthorized practice of law,
for misleading advertising and for using a letterhead that failed to disclose that he was not admitted to practice law in Virginia.

MARUDAS, Kyriakos Peter – Commission Reprimand for failing to conduct a reasonable inquiry into the authenticity of documents suspected to be forged or false, for offering evidence that he knew to be false and for failing to take reasonable remedial measures.

MAY, Christopher Michael, Jr. – Disbarred by Consent on April 2, 2014, for breaching his fiduciary duties as Trustee of an irrevocable trust for the benefit of his elderly client.

McDONALD, John Mark – Disbarred on February 21, 2014, for using his position to enter Nolle Prosequi dispositions in five (5) traffic citations as personal favors to the co-worker, for interfering with a criminal prosecution of the co-worker and for other misconduct relating to his relationship with the co-worker.

McDOWELL, Matthew John – The Court of Appeals approved a Reprimand by Consent on June 19, 2014, for robo-signing many foreclosure-related documents.

MORRISSEY, Robert J. – Commission Reprimand for failing to respond to his client’s request for information about the client’s matter, for failing to safe-keep the client’s property, for failing to maintain an attorney trust account and for record-keeping violations.

MURRAY, Philip Raymond – Commission Reprimand for failing to maintain in trust and keep separate, funds that were in dispute between his client and third parties and for failing to render promptly a full accounting regarding the disputed funds.

NARASIMHAN, Sudha – Sixty (60) day Suspension on May 23, 2014, effective thirty (30) days from the date thereof, for misrepresenting her legal experience, for establishing a law practice with another attorney in a specific field of law without verifying the attorney’s experience, for failing to provide diligent and competent representation and for failing to adequately communicate with her client.

O’LEARY, Gina Michelle – Disbarred on July 10, 2013, for engaging in a sexual relationship with her client while representing him in a domestic matter and for making misrepresentations to opposing counsel, the court and Bar Counsel.

PETROS, George Z. – Commission Reprimand for failing to respond to requests for information by his client concerning her matter and for failing to represent his client with reasonable diligence and promptness, causing his client’s case to be dismissed.

PINNO, Lawrence Paul – Disbarred on February 24, 2014, for engaging in a pattern of neglect that affected at least five (5) clients over two (2) years, for taking unearned fees without warning or explanation, for failing to pursue the clients’ matters or to appear in court on their behalf, and failing to return the unearned fees.

PUGLIESE, Elizabeth Marie – Commission Reprimand for her conflict of interest.

RING, Kevin Anthony – Disbarred by Consent on May 28, 2014, for his criminal conviction involving Conspiracy to Defraud the United States and Bribery of Public Officials and Witnesses; Payment of a Gratuity and Aiding and Abetting.

ROBINSON, Kenneth Michael - Interim Suspension on October 18, 2013, effective immediately, for negligent misappropriation of trust funds. 

ROBINSON, Kenneth Michael – Seven (7) month Suspension on April 10, 2014, that commenced nunc pro tunc, on October 18, 2013 (with the right to reapply for admission in Maryland conditioned upon his reinstatement to practice law in the District of Columbia), for negligently misappropriating trust funds and for failing to assure his firm’s compliance with disciplinary rules.

ROLLISON, Mark Edward – Commission Reprimand for failing to represent his client with reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to keep his client reasonably informed and for failing to respond to lawful demands for information from Bar Counsel.

ROSENBLATT, Richard Brian - Commission Reprimand for failing to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed decisions regarding the representation and for failing to make reasonable efforts to ensure that a lawyer over whom he had direct supervisory authority conformed to the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct.

RUSSELL, Susan Whittington – Reprimand by Consent on February 27, 2014, for engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

SANDERSON, Garland Montgomery – Commission Reprimand for failing to appear in court on his client’s behalf on four (4) occasions, for failing to advise his client of same, causing several hearings to be postponed, resulting in the delay of the disposition of his client’s matter and for failing to timely appear at his contempt hearing.

SCHRUEFER, John A., Jr. – Commission Reprimand for failing to safekeep his client’s settlement funds in an attorney trust account and for commingling funds.

SEWARD, Jamie Blum – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on April 2, 2014, effective immediately (with the right to reapply for admission after ninety (90) days from the date thereof), for failing to have the signatory’s signature on a power of attorney duly witnessed and notarized and for causing two (2) individuals to falsely sign as witnesses.

SHEDLICK, Christopher Broughton – Commission Reprimand as a reciprocal matter to his Virginia public reprimand on May 2, 2009, for failing to supervise his nonlawyer assistant; for sharing fees with the nonlawyer assistant; for assisting another in the unauthorized practice of law; for the use of misleading advertisements that are likely to create unjustified expectations; for using a firm name, letterhead or other professional designation that is incorrect; and for stating or implying that he practiced in a partnership when that was not a fact.

SHIELDS, Robert L. – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on January 22, 2014, for, among other things, failing to provide competent and diligent representation, for commingling funds, for sharing fees with a non-lawyer and, upon termination of representation, for failing to surrender documents and property to his client.

SHIN, Hee Jung Jenny – Disbarred by Consent on August 12, 2013, effective immediately, for her criminal conduct involving conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

SPERLING, Jonathan Daniel – Indefinite Suspension on July 5, 2013, for failing to diligently represent his client, resulting in dismissal of her case, for failing to promptly notify his client of the dismissal, for misrepresenting the status of the case to his client and for misrepresentations to the court.

SPERLING, Leonard J. – Indefinite Suspension on September 27, 2013, effective thirty (30) days from the date thereafter (with the right to reapply for admission after six (6) months), for failing to retain in his attorney trust account a sufficient amount to cover liens against recoveries obtained by his clients, for failing to pay lien amounts due, for his intentional communication with a person represented by counsel without the person’s consent and for delaying, for over four (4) years, the payment of the lien.

STILLWELL, Garland Howe – Six (6) month Suspension on August 22, 2013, as reciprocal discipline, based on his August 27, 2009 District of Columbia 60-day suspension, for inaccurately representing his status at the law firm where he was employed, for making false representations on behalf of a friend and for improperly charging personal expenses to the firm.

STILLWELL, Garland Howe – Indefinite Suspension on September 13, 2013 (with the right to reapply for admission after sixty (60) days), as well as a prior suspension for six (6) months on August 22, 2013.  The September, 2013 Indefinite Suspension was for failing to place an unearned client retainer fee in an attorney trust account, for lack of diligence and for failing to respond to the client’s requests about the status of her matter. 

SUTHERLAND, John Arthur, Jr.  – Disbarred on October 18, 2013, effective immediately, subsequent to his Interim Suspension on October 9, 2013, as a reciprocal discipline based upon revocation of his Virginia law license for abandoning a client and for failing to respond to lawful requests for information from Bar Counsel.

SUTLEY, Benjamin Coyle – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on October 15, 2013, for failing to represent his clients with reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to communicate with the clients about the status of their cases and for failing to maintain unearned fees in escrow.

THOMAS-BELLAMY, Sandy Fredericka – Indefinite Suspension by Consent on March 28, 2014, for failing to deposit unearned funds into an attorney trust account, for failing to create and maintain trust account records, for failing to timely file her tax returns for 2 years, for failing to represent her clients with competence, reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to adequately communicate with her clients and for failing to appear at a scheduled meeting.

TUMA, Malik James – Reprimand by Consent on July 22, 2013, for failing to respond to legal requests for information from Bar Counsel.

VANDERSLICE, Patrick Edward – Disbarred on September 10, 2013, effective immediately, by Per Curiam Order for misappropriating funds from the law firm of which he was a partner. The Court of Appeals Opinion dated October 21, 2013, cited reasons for the sanction.

WALTON, Charles Earl – Commission Reprimand for failing to represent a client with competence, reasonable diligence and promptness.

WEBER, Erin Marie (aka Anderson, Erin Weber) – Disbarred on March 28, 2014, effective immediately, as a reciprocal matter to her Virginia disbarment on June 5, 2012, for misappropriation of funds as a Court-appointed Conservator.

WHITE, Kenneth Raymond – Disbarred by Consent on October 11, 2013, for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation and for engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

WILLIAMOWSKY, Samuel David – Commission Reprimand for lack of competence, for failing to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of the matter and for failing to inform the client of any decisions to which the client’s consent is required.

WOOD, William C. – Commission Reprimand for closing his law practice without giving notice to his clients and for prejudicing their ability to pursue their cases. He also failed to clearly communicate to a client the basis or rate of a fee and failed to properly maintain his trust account.

WORTHY, Michael Ron – Indefinite Suspension on January 30, 2014, effective immediately (with the right to reapply for admission after six (6) months from the date thereof), for his willful failure to file federal income tax returns for the years 2006 and 2007.

WRAY, Ronald Allen – Commission Reprimand for failing to represent his client with competence, reasonable diligence and promptness, for failing to appear at a court ordered status conference and for unintentionally engaging in the unauthorized practice of law while decertified.