On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the District of Columbia Office of Disciplinary Counsel issued an Informal Admonition to attorney Mark R. Raddatz for violating ethical standards under the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct. The admonition stems from a complaint filed by opposing counsel in a landlord-tenant case.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Mark R. Raddatz,” with case no. 2024-D214.
The disciplinary action stemmed from a complaint filed by opposing counsel in the case of TM Associates Management, Inc. v. Joseph Murphy, Jr., heard in D.C. Superior Court under Case No. 2022 LTB 007658. Raddatz, representing the landlord, was found to have communicated directly with the tenant, Joseph Murphy, who was represented by counsel, without obtaining prior consent from Murphy’s attorney. This occurred despite Murphy’s counsel having an active appearance in the case.
In August 2023, the parties reached a settlement agreement, which closed the case. However, issues arose when Murphy, seeking to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) in spring 2024, contacted Raddatz’s office after being directed by the landlord. Between May and June 2024, Murphy attempted to reach Raddatz by phone and email to discuss a payment plan but received no response until Raddatz sent an Amended Settlement Agreement on June 6, 2024. This amended agreement, signed by Raddatz and emailed to Murphy, altered the original terms, increasing the rent and the tenant’s owed arrearage while omitting provisions favorable to Murphy, such as requirements for the landlord to address housing violations and provide a revised ledger.
Murphy’s counsel, unaware of the amended agreement until notified of a court hearing scheduled for August 19, 2024, contacted Raddatz on July 29 and August 12, 2024, asserting that his communication with Murphy violated Rule 4.2(a), which prohibits lawyers from contacting represented parties without permission. Raddatz did not respond to these communications. At the August hearing, his associate appeared, and the case was continued. On October 21, 2024, Murphy’s counsel filed a Motion to Set Aside the Amended Settlement Agreement, arguing it was unconscionable and that Raddatz’s client had not addressed housing violations. Raddatz’s associate later agreed to withdraw the amended agreement at a December 2024 hearing, where the court struck it.
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel found that Raddatz’s actions also violated Rule 8.4(d), which prohibits conduct that seriously interferes with the administration of justice. His failure to respond to opposing counsel’s communications led to additional hearings and wasted court resources. The admonition noted Raddatz’s cooperation with the investigation, his lack of prior discipline in D.C., and his acceptance of responsibility. He has 14 days to request a formal hearing to vacate the admonition, which could lead to formal charges and a hearing committee review.
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Raddatz is a landlord or tenant attorney in Washington, District of Columbia. He attended the Marquette University Law School, graduating in 1997. He acquired his law license in D.C. in 2000.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
