On Thursday, May 2, 2024, the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine issued a sanctions order suspending attorney Kevin G. Grimes for 18 months.
The case is entitled “Board of Overseers of the Bar v. Kevin G. Grimes,” with case no. BAR 23-5.
The charges cited Maine Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.15(f), 3.3(a), 8.1(a)(b), 8.4(c) and 8.4(a)(d).
The order stemmed from a disciplinary case brought by the Board of Overseers of the Bar against Grimes. According to findings from the court, Grimes was retained in July 2016 by Roland Goss, then an 83-year-old man, to represent him in a personal injury lawsuit after Goss suffered injuries from a slip and fall accident at a private residence in 2015.
However, Grimes failed to diligently pursue the case. He had infrequent communication with Goss and did not conduct any investigation into the matter between 2016 and 2019. In March 2019, Grimes had Goss and his wife sign a poorly drafted complaint, but did not actually file it in court as he claimed.
When Goss asked about the status of the case throughout 2020, Grimes repeatedly lied and said courts were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In reality, Grimes had still not filed the complaint.
Concerned the statute of limitations was approaching in November 2021, Goss asked his daughter Mary Whitten for help communicating with Grimes that August. Grimes continued lying, claiming documents were in the mail but never sending anything.
It was not until Whitten directly confronted Grimes in September 2021 that he admitted no mailings happened. Grimes finally produced a minimal case file and a note saying most was lost in an office move, which the court found was untrue.
The complaint was actually only filed on September 10, 2021, the day before Grimes met with Whitten. When she investigated, Whitten learned the “2021” docket number indicated the late filing. Goss then hired a new attorney.
In its ruling, the Supreme Judicial Court found Grimes violated numerous Maine Rules of Professional Conduct regarding competence, diligence, communication, safekeeping client files, candor towards the tribunal, and misconduct through dishonesty.
The order stated Grimes intentionally caused harm by significantly delaying the case and reimbursement of Goss’s medical bills during his waning life. His actions very nearly allowed the statute of limitations to expire on the claim.
The court also considered aggravating factors like Grimes’ prior public reprimand from the Board of Overseers in February 2022 and his continued lack of honesty and accountability. Although requesting a light sanction to retire, Grimes did not fully accept responsibility.
Taking all circumstances into account, the Supreme Judicial Court issued an 18-month suspension of Grimes’ law license.
The Disposition states:
“Considering all of the above, it is hereby ordered that Mr. Grimes is suspended for eighteen (18) months, effective April 25, 2024. Mr. Grimes must comply with the requirements of Maine Bar Rule 29 before he may be reinstated to the practice of law in Maine.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Grimes is a business attorney in Kennebunk, Maine. He acquired his law license in Maine in 1994.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
