Opinion
BAR-22-25
01-31-2023
Board of Overseers of the Bar Plaintiff v. Edward G. Dardis, Esq. of Damariscotta, Maine Me. Bar #01509 Defendant
EX PARTE ORDER OF IMMEDIATE INTERIM SUSPENSION M. BAR R. 24
By filing dated January 24, 2022, the Board of Overseers of the Bar (the Board) petitioned this Court for an Order of Interim Suspension of Edward G. Dardis from the practice of law in the State of Maine. Incorporated with the Board's Petition was a Confidential Affidavit of Bar Counsel with related exhibits.
Based upon the Board's submissions, the Court concludes that the submitted evidence supports the existence of exigent circumstances as well as a finding that Attorney Dardis has committed multiple violations of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct. Specifically, the Court finds that the Board's evidence demonstrates Attorney Dardis's violations of at least M. R. Prof. Conduct 1.15(a)(b); 5.3; 8.1(b) and 8.4(a)(b)(c)(d).
Under the facts presented by the Board, this Court concludes that Attorney Dardis's misconduct serves as an imminent threat to clients, the public and to the administration of justice.
Effective immediately, this Court ORDERS that Attorney Edward G. Dardis shall now be suspended from the practice of law in Maine, until further Order of this Court.
The Court further ORDERS that Attorney Dardis shall vacate his law office(s) (including any home office), immediately cease practicing law, and immediately cease operations of any and all of his websites, Facebook/social media account(s) and any other form of advertising of his legal services during the period of his suspension.
Effective immediately, neither Dardis nor his staff are permitted at the law office. Any requests they may have to access the law office or any of its contents, hardware, software, devices, information or accounts shall be directed to the Receiver.
Additionally, Attorney Dardis and his staff shall immediately surrender possession and control of all physical and digital client files, the keys to his law offices, his law office operating and client trust bank accounts, and all computer and mobile devices/equipment utilized by him or his staff related to the law office or client services. In that regard, Attorney Dardis and his staff shall immediately provide all necessary login and password information to the Court-Appointed Receiver and surrender any such items or information listed above as soon as requested by the Board or the Court's Receiver. Attorney Dardis shall also cooperate with the Receiver in all aspects so as to protect the interests of his clients.
Effective immediately, Attorney Dardis and his staff are prohibited from removing any funds, files, data, check books, financial records/bank information, client property, computer hardware/software or any client related or law office related items. With advance notice/request to the Receiver, Attorney Dardis may return to the law office, accompanied by the Receiver (or agent thereof) to retrieve his personal belongings.
If Attorney Dardis seeks payment for any professional services, he shall enumerate to this Court the basis for his pursuit of payment, by providing a detailed accounting of his time for the specific service or client matter.
Finally, Attorney Dardis is prohibited from service as a fiduciary, and he is ORDERED to immediately relinquish any position as a designated fiduciary and take steps to receive any discharge from courts or entities that have recorded such fiduciary service.
Under separate order the Court shall appoint a Receiver to wind down the law office and protect the interests of Attorney Dardis's clients.