Joseph Owens

DCCA Opinion (December 19, 2024)

Summary: Not yet available.

DCCA Order (September 18, 2024)

Summary: In re Joseph Owens. Bar No. 980884. September 18, 2024. Owens 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 August 1, 2024, recommendation of disbarment.

Board Report and Orders (August 1, 2024)

Summary: In re Joseph Owens. Bar No. 980884. August 1, 2024. The Board on Professional Responsibility recommended that the D.C. Court of Appeals disbar Owens for intentionally misappropriating client funds in violation of Virginia Rule of Professional Conduct 1.15(b)(3), failing to communicate with his client in violation of Virginia Rule 1.4, failing to keep proper records of client funds or provide an accounting in violation of Virginia Rule 1.15(b)(5), and engaging in dishonesty in violation of Maryland Rule 19-308.4(c). Owens agreed to represent a client in a security clearance proceeding for a flat fee of $4,000, which the client paid in advance, but then withdrew the full amount of the flat fee from the trust account without completing the engagement. Owens also failed to keep the client informed about the status of the matter, failed to keep proper records of entrusted client funds, and did not provide his client with an accounting of the fees as requested. After the client terminated the representation, Owens engaged in dishonesty by misrepresenting the status of the client’s disciplinary complaint to Maryland courts in a fee dispute with the client.

Hearing Committee Report (February 15, 2024)

Summary: Not yet available.

Answer (November 10, 2021)

Specification of Charges (November 3, 2021)