Thomas F. Maffei published in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on potential DOJ interference of bar discipline proceedings

Thomas F. Maffei, senior counsel in the firm’s Litigation Department, was published in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly on March 16 for his article, “Proposed rule allowing DOJ to interfere with state bar discipline proceedings ‘legally flawed‘.” This article discusses the notice of a proposed rule issued by the U.S. Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi that would interfere with state bar authorities’ jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute violations of ethics rules by lawyers admitted in those states.

From the article:

“The rule is legally flawed on several grounds. First, it has always been the case that the highest court of every jurisdiction in the United States has exclusive jurisdiction over the practice of law in those jurisdictions and over the persons who hold law licenses granted by those high courts.

Second, the entire bar regulatory regime, including the bar exam, registration and bar discipline stem directly from the authority of the highest courts in each jurisdiction. By gaining admission to practice in a state, the attorney submits to the regulatory authority of that state.”

Click here to continue reading in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (subscriber-only content).