In-House Counsel Disbarred

The Maryland Court of Appeals recently disbarred an attorney convicted on a plea of guilty to misprison of felony. The attorney had been employed as in-house counsel for an entity known as Global Recruitment and Immigration Services, Inc. He was aware of widespread forgeries on immigration documents, including forgery of his signature. He also was aware that the purported employer identified in hundreds of applications "did not have the capacity to hire such large numbers of immigrants." This had occured over a four year period.

The court noted that its precedents require disbarment for intentional dishonest conduct absent compelling extenuating circumstances. While the mitigation evidence presented was "commendable" it did not meet the standards for extenuating circumstances sufficient to avoid disbarment. (Mike Frisch)