On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, the Supreme Court of Maryland reprimanded attorney Marylin Pierre for violating professional conduct rules during her 2020 Circuit Court campaign. The court found that Pierre had made false statements and misrepresentations about her background and career experience in campaign materials and on her New York Bar application.
The case is entitled “Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland v. Marylin Pierre,” case no. AG 42.
The charges cited Pierre’s violation of Maryland Attorneys’ Rules of Professional Conduct8.2(a)(Judicial and Legal Officials) and 8.4(a), (c), and (d)(Misconduct), as well as New York Disciplinary Rules1-101 (Maintaining Integrity and Competence of the Legal Profession), and 1-102 (Misconduct).
The case began when Bar Counsel received a campaign email sent by the manager of a slate of four sitting judges against whom Pierre was running. The email made several false accusations against Marylin Pierre, which led to an investigation. The Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission investigated Marylin Pierre and found that she had made false and misleading statements about her background and career experience in her 2020 campaign materials and on her New York Bar application. The Commission also found that Pierre had made willful misrepresentations about her background and career experience on her applications for various judgeships in Montgomery County. Additionally, Pierre was found to have made false statements under oath and failed to respond timely to Bar Counsel’s investigatory demands.
A hearing judge found that Marylin Pierre had violated several rules of professional conduct, including making false statements and misrepresentations, and identified seven aggravating and four mitigating factors. The judge’s findings were largely upheld, but some of Pierre’s exceptions were sustained. The court ultimately issued a reprimand, rather than the recommended sanction of disbarment, taking into account the mitigating factors and the seriousness of the misconduct.
The court’s decision was based on several mitigating factors, including Marylin Pierre’s otherwise clean disciplinary record, her remorse and apology, and her cooperation with the investigation. The court also considered the context of the case, which involved a judicial election campaign. The court noted that the timing of the investigation and the allegations against Marylin Pierre raised concerns about interference in the election and potential First Amendment implications.
At the time of writing, Ms. Marilyn Pierre’s LinkedIn page indicates that she is the Principal Attorney at the law firm, Pierre & Associates, Attorneys and Counselors at Law, serving Rockville, Maryland. She attended Howard University, graduating in 1990. Pierre has been licensed to practice in Maryland, as well as in New York.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
