Steven Kreiss

DCCA Opinion (October 10, 2024)

Summary: Not yet available.

DCCA Order (September 23, 2024)

Summary: In re Steven Kreiss. Bar No. 58297. September 23, 2024. Kreiss 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 July 29, 2024, recommendation of a one-year suspension with fitness.

Board Report and Orders (July 29, 2024)

Summary: In re Steven Kreiss. Bar No. 58297. July 29, 2024. The Board on Professional Responsibility recommended that the D.C. Court of Appeals suspend Kreiss for one year with fitness for violations of Rules 1.1(a), 1.1(b), 1.3(a), 1.3(b)(2), 1.4(a), 1.4(b), 1.5(a), 1.15(a), 1.16(d), and 8.4(c). In connection with his representation of a client who sought to become a permanent resident and avoid deportation, Kreiss failed to represent his client with competence and skill and care, failed to act diligently during the representation, failed to keep the client informed, intentionally prejudiced the client during the course of the professional relationship, and engaged in dishonesty. Specifically, Kreiss filed an appeal of an initial unfavorable decision in the name of the wrong party but failed to correct that error and failed to file a brief in the matter. He then hid the dismissal of the appeal and the reason for it from his client, and he persuaded the client instead to pursue six years of fruitless litigation seeking to undo his own error, at a cost of $20,000. The Board found that Kreiss charged an unreasonable fee and further that he failed to keep records of entrusted funds and failed to return the client’s file and papers.

Hearing Committee Report (February 23, 2024)

Summary: Not yet available.

Specification of Charges (February 13, 2023)