Lydia E. Lawless Named Bar Counsel for
Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland

(ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND – June 22, 2017) — Lydia E. Lawless has been named Bar Counsel for the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland.  Mary Ellen Barbera, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, announced the Court’s approval of the appointment effective July 1.

“Ms. Lawless’ distinguished record at the Attorney Grievance Commission, her commitment to professionalism and client protection, and the high regard evidenced for her by the legal community make her well-suited to succeed as Bar Counsel,” Chief Judge Barbera said.

“I am honored and humbled to have the confidence of the Commission and the Court of Appeals,” Lawless said.  “I am looking forward to working with my colleagues and our bar in this new role.”

Lawless joined the Attorney Grievance Commission as an Assistant Bar Counsel in 2011.  In July 2016, she was promoted to Senior Assistant Bar Counsel.  Prior to joining the Commission, she worked as an attorney at Vesper & Lawless in Bethesda.  Lawless earned her J.D. in 2007 from American University’s Washington College of Law and passed the bar that same year.  While in law school, Lawless served as staff editor of the school’s Administrative Law Review and was active with its Civil Practice Clinic.

Lawless serves on the executive board of the Montgomery County Inns of Court and is also a member of the Serjeants Inn Law Club, the National Organization of Bar Counsel, and the Women’s Bar Association of Maryland.  Additionally, she is a member the Maryland Litigator editorial board, contributes to the Maryland Bar Journal and other legal publications, and serves as a guest speaker on the topic of legal ethics for specialty bar associations throughout the state.  Earlier this month, Lawless was named the 2017 recipient of the American Bar Association’s Rosner and Rosner Young Lawyers Professionalism Award, which honors young lawyers who display a commitment to legal and judicial ethics, lawyer professionalism, client protection, and professional regulation.

Lawless succeeds Glenn Grossman, who retired earlier this year, having served as Bar Counsel since July 2010.

“The Commission looks forward to working with the newly appointed Bar Counsel, Lydia Lawless,” said Commission Chair Linda H. Lamone.  The Commission was established in 1975 and oversees the conduct of Maryland attorneys, who are obligated to comply with the Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct.  Bar Counsel is authorized to investigate professional misconduct or incapacity on the part of an attorney and, where indicated, file and prosecute petitions and statements of charges for disciplinary and remedial actions, as well as investigate and prosecute actions to enjoin the unauthorized practice of law.  Bar Counsel also reviews notifications of overdrafts on attorney escrow accounts.  Each year, Bar Counsel’s staff of investigators, lawyers, paralegals and administrative support processes approximately 2,000 complaints against attorneys.

The Commission consists of nine lawyers and three public members appointed by the Court of Appeals for staggered three-year terms.  Members of the Commission serve without compensation.

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