On Friday, May 31, 2024, the Supreme Court of Maryland suspended attorney Richard J. Tappan from practicing law in the state for six months, effective November 1, 2023, for professional misconduct while serving as guardian for an incapacitated client.
The case is entitled “Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Richard J. Tappan,” with case no. 39.
The order came as a reciprocal discipline to a one-year suspension previously ordered by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in May 2023. According to the D.C. order, Tappan failed to pay living expenses for his ward while they resided at an assisted living facility in Washington, D.C. from 2015 to 2016. As conservator, Tappan was responsible for paying the fees using his client’s funds, but he neglected this duty over an extended period.
Tappan acknowledged that he violated rules of professional conduct regarding competence, diligence, unreasonable fees, record-keeping, and dishonest conduct that interfered with justice. He agreed to a one-year suspension, stayed as to all but six months, followed by one year of probation. The Maryland high court then imposed a six-month suspension, retroactive to November 1, 2023, along with one year of probation upon reinstatement.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Tappan is a family attorney in Falls Church, Virginia. He acquired his law license in Maryland in 2020.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
