On Monday, March 16, 2026, the Hearing Panel of the Grievance Commission recommended that the Maine Supreme Judicial Court deny the petition for reinstatement of Seth T. Carey, a suspended attorney. The decision follows a hearing conducted in February 2026, and is based on Carey’s failure to meet the criteria for reinstatement as outlined in Maine Bar Rule 29(e).
Carey is currently serving three separate suspensions from practicing law in Maine, dating back to 2016. The suspensions stem from multiple court orders citing professional misconduct, including lack of competence, dishonesty, and temperament issues.
According to the Grievance Commission’s report, Carey has not demonstrated full compliance with the terms and conditions of his prior disciplinary orders. The panel cited his failure to authorize the release of his treatment records in a timely manner as one example. The report also stated that Carey did not report civil proceedings he initiated, and that his Reinstatement Questionnaire was riddled with omissions.
The Commission also found that Carey has not engaged in successful treatment for a personality disorder, a condition Justice Warren ordered him to treat before he could be reinstated. While Carey presented testimony from mental health professionals, the panel questioned the strength of their conclusions, noting that they relied heavily on Carey’s self-reporting and lacked comprehensive information about his interactions with the legal system.
Further, the report alleges that Carey has engaged in unauthorized practice of law during his suspension. This allegation stems from a complaint he drafted and filed, naming himself and others as plaintiffs. One of the plaintiffs later wrote to the court stating that Carey was representing her family and misrepresented the purpose of the lawsuit.
The Commission also determined that Carey has not recognized the wrongfulness and seriousness of his past misconduct. They cited his continued efforts to relitigate and minimize his actions, as well as his hostile and abusive language toward others, as evidence of this.
Additionally, the report states that Carey has engaged in other professional misconduct, including being arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and pleading guilty to assault. He also failed to comply with a scheduling order of this GC Panel concerning the deadline by which hearing exhibits were to be exchanged.
While Carey has completed CLE (Continuing Legal Education) requirements, the Commission found that he did not meet this criterion by way of the exhibits he designated by the deadline for exchange of exhibits.
In light of these findings, the Grievance Commission concluded that Carey has not met the criteria for reinstatement and that there is no “good and sufficient” reason to reinstate him. The recommendation now goes to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court for a final decision.
The commission suggested that Carey should have a neuropsychological re-evaluation performed, produce comprehensive documentation to the provider conducting the neuropsychological evaluation, and cease engaging in hostile, abusive, vituperative, and inappropriate behaviors, among other things.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
