Attorney Grievance Commission v. Merkle

On January 23, 2013, the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland (“Petitioner”), acting pursuant to Maryland Rule 16-751(a), directed Bar Counsel to file a “Petition for Disciplinary or Remedial Action” against Patrick G. Merkle (“Respondent” or “Merkle”). Petitioner charged Respondent with several violations of the Maryland Lawyers’ Rules of Professional Conduct (“MLRPC” or “Rules”), specifically MLRPC 1.1 (Competence),11.2 (Scope of Representation and Allocation *613of Authority Between Client and Lawyer),21.3 (Diligence),31.4 (Communication),4 1.6 (Confidentiality of Information),5 7.3 *614(Direc…