Leslie Silverman

DCCA Opinion (November 9, 2006)

Summary: In this consolidated matter involving reciprocal bar discipline of two members of the D.C. Bar, the D.C. Court of Appeals dismissed the reciprocal disciplinary proceedings against Greenspan and Silverman, holding that neither the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers nor the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland is a “disciplining court” under D.C. Bar Rule XI, § 11(a)(2006). Regarding an original matter also against Silverman, the court publicly censured Silverman for her failure to respond to Bar Counsel’s lawful demands for information, in violation of Rules 8.1(b) and 8.4(d), and her failure to comply with a board order, in violation of D.C. Bar Rule XI, § 2(b)(3). One judge dissented with regard to the majority’s holding concerning the reciprocal cases and would recognize that the public reprimands that were lawfully issued and consented to in Maryland and Massachusetts trigger application of the reciprocal discipline system in the District of Columbia.