On Thursday, January 5, 2023, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals ordered the suspension of Maryland attorney Antoini M. Jones in consideration of the certified order from the State of Maryland which suspended his license to practice law by consent in that jurisdiction for 60 days.
The case is styled “In Re Antoini M. Jones” and was brought by the Disciplinary Counsel under Case #22-BG-808.
On October 28, 2022, the Court directed Jones to show cause why reciprocal discipline should not be imposed. Jones argued that the underlying disciplinary case would have been resolved as a fee dispute had it been brought in the District, and requested that no sanction be imposed and alternatively requested to have his suspension run concurrent to the Maryland discipline.
Jones’ suspension by consent in Maryland stemmed from the allegations that he violated the rules of professional conduct for collecting unreasonable fees; failing to safe keep unearned fees; failing to obtain the client’s informed consent to hold the funds outside of trust; failing to protect client’s interest; and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The Maryland suspension order can be found online at this link.
Accordingly, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals imposed identical discipline as that of Maryland.
The Disposition reads:
“ORDERED that Antoini M. Jones is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the District of Columbia for 60 days, stayed in favor of one year of probation subject to full compliance with the terms imposed by the State of Maryland. . . Additionally, respondent is ineligible to have his suspension run concurrent to the Maryland discipline because he failed to self-report his discipline.”
Prior to the suspension, Mr. Antoini Martin Jones practiced in Riverdale, Maryland with the law firm Gibson & Jones, LLP. He has been admitted to the state bars of the District of Columbia and Maryland. Jones’ info can be found on Avvo.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
