(ANNAPOLIS, Md. — December 10, 2009) Linda Lamone, chairperson of the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland, announced today that Melvin Hirshman, longtime bar counsel to the Commission, is retiring on June 30, 2010, after nearly three decades of service.

“It’s been a privilege and an honor to be able to serve in this position as bar counsel for the length of time that I’ve been permitted to do so,” Hirshman said. “I’m especially thankful to the Commission, which has supervised me for 29 plus years, and the Court of Appeals, which has been very cooperative in overseeing the disciplinary system and looking at necessary changes to improve the disciplinary system for the betterment of attorneys and clients.”

Since January 15, 1981, Hirshman has led the office responsible for investigating complaints lodged against attorneys practicing in Maryland and for prosecuting cases of professional misconduct on behalf of the Commission. As bar counsel, he also reviews escrow account overdrafts, investigates petitions for reinstatements and initiates Conservatorships when an attorney passes away or abandons a practice and there is no one else to undertake that task.

The Commission was established in 1975 to oversee the discipline of Maryland lawyers and to review the conduct of lawyers to determine the need for alternatives to discipline. The Commission also seeks to prevent the unauthorized practice of law. Subject to approval by the Court of Appeals, the Commission appoints a lawyer to serve as bar counsel. 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.

“Mr. Hirshman has served as bar counsel for the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland with honor and distinction for nearly three decades,” said Chief Judge Robert M. Bell of the Court of Appeals. “His leadership and commitment to professionalism in the practice of law have raised the standard of conduct for all attorneys in this state. He has been a responsible and forceful advocate of disciplinary action, when needed, and a willing and accessible resource with respect to the perimeters of professional conduct, thus, ultimately protecting the public and ensuring its trust and confidence in the legal profession.”

As bar counsel, Hirshman’s 26-member staff of investigators, lawyers, paralegals and administrative support receives approximately 2,000 grievances lodged against attorneys each year. Hirshman has tried many disciplinary cases and argued a number of disciplinary cases before the Court of Appeals. In addition, his office has been instrumental in advocating for a number of reforms to ensure protections for attorneys and their clients, including the overdraft notification program by banks for attorney trust fund accounts and record-keeping rules requiring attorneys to keep bank account statements and ledgers, and perform monthly reconciliation activities.

“Mel has been an integral part of the Commission’s work to ensure that the members of Maryland’s bar represent the highest standards of legal conduct,” Lamone said. “He not only helped us investigate and prosecute grievances, he was just as active in educating lawyers about our procedures and requirements, promoting the highest level of ethics in order to prevent the need for disciplinary actions. On behalf of the entire Maryland legal community, I thank him for his outstanding contributions to our profession.”

Hirshman was admitted to the District of Columbia Bar on October 28, 1955, and to the Maryland Bar on June 23, 1965. He engaged in a varied private practice, as a solo practitioner as well as in association with others, in both jurisdictions for 25 years before his appointment as bar counsel.

He served as President of the National Organization of Bar Counsel (1988-89) and presented numerous programs for that organization at its semi-annual meetings. He also served on a committee to publish a manual for use of bar counsel. He was on the faculty for six American Bar Association Professionalism Conferences and has served on the Editorial Board of the Lawyers’ Manual on Professional Conduct for many years. Hirshman has authored a number of articles on ethical subjects of the Maryland Bar Journal, and while a member of his local Inn of Court. He has been a professor for courses for paralegals and for five years, he lectured on commercial law at a CPA coaching school.

He has served as a faculty member on many courses offered by the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers (MICPEL), lectured to numerous local bar associations, the Maryland State Bar Association at its annual meeting and served as a faculty member for several Solo Day conferences. He has addressed law firms and citizen groups on the disciplinary system and ethical issues. He has served on committees that have adopted the Code of Professional Responsibility and the current Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct.

“I think the thing I’m most proud of is the fact that I and my staff have made a substantial contribution to the betterment of the ethical standards of the bar,” Hirshman said.

The Commission has launched a search for a new bar counsel. Hirshman will remain with the Commission to assist in the leadership transition.

A position announcement is available on the Maryland Judiciary’s Web site, www.mdcourts.gov/jobs/barcounsel09.pdf. Additional information about the Commission and its activities can also be found at www.mdcourts.gov/attygrievance on the site.

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Editor’s note: A headshot of Melvin Hirshman is available for publication upon request.
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