The Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) has filed comments with the Department of Justice (DOJ), opposing its recently Proposed Rule for Review of State Bar Complaints and Allegations Against DOJ Attorneys. The Proposed Rule would prevent current and former DOJ attorneys from being investigated by state bar disciplinary authorities for misconduct or ethical violations. MSBA urges the DOJ to withdraw the Proposed Rule, as it would dilute the integrity and public trust of the judicial system, interfere with the authority of the Supreme Court of Maryland to regulate the practice of law, and create a professional conflict of interest for DOJ attorneys.
In its comments, MSBA affirms the commitment to the rule of law, administration of justice, and professional accountability: “The Proposed Rule would directly contradict and interfere with the established authority of state courts to regulate attorneys…. [and] would prevent DOJ attorneys from timely fulfillment of their ethical requirements at the state level… Admission to the Bar is based on a commitment to the rule of law and a code of ethics, personal to each attorney and independent of one’s employer.”
172 attorneys and 19 law firms and organizations signed on to the comments, including Gallagher LLP, Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP, Maryland Legal Aid, and the Baltimore County Bar Association. MSBA’s comments and signatories send a clear message regarding the collective strength of the legal profession in upholding the rule of law, ethical standards, and preserving public trust.
Read MSBA’s full comments here.
For more information about MSBA and advocacy, visit msba.org. To be connected with spokespeople for comment, please contact [email protected].