On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals suspended attorney Kristopher E. Twomey on an interim basis pending final action on a recommendation from the Board on Professional Responsibility.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Kristopher Twomey,” with case no. 23-BD-013.
The disciplinary action against Twomey stemmed from his representation of two clients, LTD Broadband and Monster Broadband, in matters related to the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund program. As documented in a Report and Recommendation issued by an Ad Hoc Hearing Committee of the Board on Professional Responsibility, Twomey committed several violations of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct in his handling of the clients’ matters.
Specifically, the Hearing Committee found clear and convincing evidence that Twomey violated the Rule regarding reasonable promptness by waiting until June 7, 2021, to file a petition for eligible telecommunications carrier designation in Tennessee on behalf of Monster Broadband, missing an earlier deadline. The Committee also determined Twomey violated Rules 1.4(a) and (b) on communication by failing to keep both clients reasonably informed about the status of their matters and by providing inaccurate information that interfered with their ability to make informed decisions.
The most serious violations found by the Committee involved dishonesty under Rules 4.1(a) and 8.4(c). Regarding the representation of LTD Broadband, Twomey provided a false docket number and altered receipt for the client’s application in California. He also misled his co-counsel Stephen Coran about the timeline for approval of applications in Nebraska and North Dakota. Similarly, Twomey falsely told Monster Broadband that he had filed an application in Tennessee on an earlier date. The Committee concluded these statements were dishonest misrepresentations made to cover up Twomey’s failure to meet important deadlines.
While Twomey has no prior disciplinary history, the Hearing Committee recommended a two-year suspension based on the seriousness of the misconduct, which involved multiple rule violations and harm to the clients and the reputation of the legal profession. The Board agreed with this sanction. Now, according to the interim suspension rule, Twomey’s law license will remain suspended pending the DCCA’s final decision in his case.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Twomey is an attorney in Washington, District of Columbia. He acquired his law license in the District of Columbia in 2008.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
