In re Brennan
In re Brennan
Opinion of the Court
In this reciprocal disciplinary proceeding against respondent Mary D. Brennan, the Board on Professional Responsibility (“Board”) has recommended that the reciprocal and identical discipline of a ninety-day suspension be imposed. No exceptions to the Board’s Report and Recommendation have been filed.
On January 22, 2004, the Court of Appeals of Maryland suspended respondent for ninety days. Respondent had consented to the suspension following findings by a Circuit Court of Maryland that respondent had failed to file 1999-2001 federal and state income tax returns, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7203 (1990) and MD. CODE ANN. Tax-General § 13-1001(d) (2001). The court further found that respondent had violated Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b) (criminal act that reflect adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer); 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice); and 5.5 (unauthorized practice of law), as well as Maryland Rules 16-606 (proper designation and title for attorney’s trust account), 16-607(a) (proper funds deposited in attorney trust account), and 16-609 (cash may not be drawn from an attorney trust account).
In its report and recommendation, the Board found that the record supported the imposition of reciprocal and identical discipline. In cases like this, where nei
Since no exception has been taken to the Board’s report and recommendation, the court gives heightened deference to its recommendation. See D.C. Bar R. XI, § 9(g)(2); In re Delaney, 697 A.2d 1212, 1214 (D.C. 1997). As we find support in the record for the Board’s findings, we accept them, and adopt the sanction the Board recommended. Accordingly, it is
ORDERED that Mary D. Brennan is suspended from the practice of law in the District of Columbia for a period of ninety days, nunc pro tunc, to March 9, 2004. Further, respondent has fulfilled the D.C. Bar R. XI, § 14(g) affidavit requirement and has been reinstated to practice law in this jurisdiction.
. The Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct have the same numbered counterparts in the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct; however, the Maryland Rules do not have direct counterparts and violations of them would not constitute misconduct in this jurisdiction. Additionally, this court has held that the willful failure to file income tax returns does not violate D.C. Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(d) (conduct that seriously interferes with the administration of justice). In re Shorter, 570 A.2d 760 (D.C. 1990).
. The court order recognized that respondent filed the D.C. Bar R. XI, § 14(g) affidavit and then had served the recommended ninety-day suspension. While the order reinstated respondent, this court noted that the Board was not restricted to the sanction imposed by the Maryland Court.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In Re Mary D. Brennan, a Member of the Bar of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
- Status
- Published