Richard Morris

DCCA Opinion (April 7, 2022)

Summary: The D.C. Court of Appeals disbarred Morris for repeated intentional misappropriation of advance fees and other misconduct arising out of his representation of seven different clients. The court ordered Morris to pay restitution to his clients (or the Clients’ Security Fund) as a condition of reinstatement. Specifically, Morris accepted fee advances from his clients and then knowingly used those funds as his own before he had earned them, even though he did not attempt to obtain client consent to do so. In addition, Morris consistently and intentionally neglected client matters, failed to communicate with his clients, failed to return client files and unearned fees, made knowingly dishonest statements to Disciplinary Counsel during its disciplinary investigation, failed to respond to Board on Professional Responsibility and court orders, and failed to provide an engagement letter to one client. (Rules 1.15(a) and (e); 1.3(a), (b)(1), and (c); 1.4(a) and (b); 1.5(b); 1.16(d); 8.1(a) and (b); 8.4(c) and (d); and D.C. Bar Rule XI, § 2(b)(3).)

DCCA Order (March 15, 2022)

Summary: In re Richard L. Morris. Bar No. 491646. March 15, 2022. Morris was suspended on an interim basis pursuant to D.C. Bar R. XI, § 9(g), pending final action on the Board on Professional Responsibility’s January 18, 2022, recommendation of disbarment.

Board Report and Orders (January 18, 2022)

Summary: In re Richard L. Morris. Bar No. 491646. January 18, 2022. The Board on Professional Responsibility recommended that the D.C. Court of Appeals disbar Morris for repeated intentional misappropriation of advance fees and other misconduct arising out of his representation of seven different clients, and also that he be ordered to pay restitution to his clients (or the D.C. Bar Clients’ Security Fund) as a condition of reinstatement. Specifically, Morris accepted fee advances from his clients and then knowingly used those advance funds as his own before he had earned them, even though he did not attempt to obtain client consent to do so. In addition, Morris consistently and intentionally neglected client matters, failed to communicate with his clients, failed to return client files and unearned fees, made knowingly dishonest statements to Disciplinary Counsel during its investigation, failed to respond to Board and court orders, and failed to provide an engagement letter to one client. (Rules 1.15(a), 1.15(e), 1.3(a), 1.3(b)(1), 1.3(c), 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 1.5(b), 1.16(d), 8.1(a), 8.1(b), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and D.C. Bar Rule XI, § 2(b)(3).)

Hearing Committee Report (October 4, 2021)

Summary: Not yet available.

Specification of Charges (December 9, 2020)