Leslie Silverman

Board Report and Orders (December 17, 2004)

Summary: This consolidated case involves a reciprocal matter from the Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission and an original proceeding arising from Silverman’s failure to respond to Bar Counsel. Regarding the reciprocal matter, the majority of the board determined that the commission should not be deemed a “disciplining court” within the meaning of D.C. Bar Rule XI, § 11(a), thus making reciprocal discipline inappropriate. Regarding the original matter, the board recommends that the court publicly censure 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). The board chair, along with one other board member, concurred with regard to the original matter, but dissented with regard to the report’s treatment of the disciplining court issue, and would have supported reciprocal discipline in the Maryland matter.