Md. Rule 19-606 (2026)

(a) Notice of Default.

(1) Generally. As soon as practicable after February 10 of each year, the Fund shall send electronically a Notice of Default to each attorney who has (1) failed to pay in full (A) the amount due as stated in the invoice, (B) any penalty for late payment, or (C) any charge for a dishonored check or money order, or (2) failed to supply to the Fund a required Social Security number or federal tax identification number or statement that there is no such number.

(2) Form and Content. The Notice of Default shall (A) be on a form approved by the State Court Administrator and the Supreme Court, (B) identify the nature of the default and the amount, if any, owed to the Fund, and (C) state that failure to cure the default will result in the entry of an order by the Supreme Court administratively suspending the attorney from the practice of law in Maryland.

(b) Administrative Suspension.

(1) List of Defaulting Attorneys. As soon as practicable after February 10 of each year but no later than March 10, the Fund shall transmit to the Supreme Court a list that includes the name and AIS number of those attorneys who failed to cure the default stated in the Notice of Default. At the request of the Court, the Fund shall furnish to the Court additional information from its records or give further notice to the defaulting attorneys.

(2) Administrative Suspension Order. If satisfied that the Fund has given the required Notice of Default to the attorneys named in the list, the Supreme Court shall enter an Administrative Suspension Order prohibiting each of the attorneys in default from practicing law in Maryland. The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall (A) send electronically a copy of the Order to each administratively suspended attorney named in the Order, (B) comply with Rule 19-761, and (C) post notice of the Order on the Judiciary website.

(3) Effect of Order. An attorney who has been sent a copy of the Administrative Suspension Order and who has not been restored to good standing may not practice law in Maryland and shall comply with the requirements of Rule 19-741 (b) and (c). In addition to any other remedy or sanction allowed by law, an action for contempt may be brought against an attorney who practices law in violation of a1 Administrative Suspension Order.

(c) Termination of Administrative Suspension Order.

(1) Duty of Trustees. Upon receipt of the attorney's Social Security number, federal tax identification number or statement that the attorney has no such number, and all amounts due by the attorney, including all related costs prescribed by the Supreme Court or the trustees, the trustees shall:

(A) remove the attorney's name from the list of attorneys in default; and

(B) if an Administrative Suspension Order has been entered, inform the Supreme Court that the Social Security number, federal tax identification number or statement that the attorney has no such number, and full payment have been received and request the Court to enter an order terminating the attorney's administrative suspension

(2) Duty of Court. Upon receipt of the notice and request provided for in subsection (c)(1)(B) of this Rule and payment of any fee for reinstatement, and if the attorney is in compliance with the requirements of Rules 19-409 and 19-503, the Supreme Court shall enter an order terminating the administrative suspension of the attorney and the Clerk of the Court shall (A) send electronically a copy of the reinstatement order to each attorney who has been restored to good standing, (B) comply with Rule 19-761, and (C) post the Order on the Judiciary website.

(3) Disclosure of Administrative Suspension. After an attorney's administrative suspension for failure to comply with the requirements of Rule 19-605 has been terminated, the attorney need not disclose the administrative suspension in response to a request for information as to whether the attorney has been the subject of a disciplinary or remedial proceeding.

Source: This Rule is derived from former Rule 16-811.6 (2016).

Credits

[Adopted June 6, 2016, eff. July 1, 2016. Amended Dec. 4, 2018, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; July 9, 2021, eff. Oct. 1, 2021; April 21, 2023, eff. nunc pro tunc April 1, 2023; Feb. 23, 2026, eff. July 1, 2026.]