Opinion
22-18
01-09-2023
BOARD OF OVERSEERS OF THE BAR Plaintiff v. Thomas E. Dewhurst III, Esq. of Conway, NH Me. Bar No. 003542 Defendant
ORDER OF RECIPROCAL DISCIPLINE M. BAR R. 26(E)
Thomas E. Dewhurst III, Esq. was admitted to the Maine bar in May of 1987.
In August 2022, the Board received certified confirmation that the New Hampshire Supreme Court Professional Conduct Committee had issued a September 21, 2021, Order against Attorney Dewhurst. The Court's imposition of a Public Censure was based upon Attorney Dewhurst's violations of N.H. R. Prof. Conduct 1.7(a)(2), 4.2 and 8.4(a).
The Court notes that in the New Hampshire matter Attorney Dewhurst stipulated to engaging in improper conduct while he was Trustee of a trust in that he had a personal tenancy interest in the property owned by the trust and thereby a conflict of interest. Attorney Dewhurst also stipulated to engaging in direct communications with a represented party, one of the trust beneficiaries. Additionally, Attorney Dewhurst stipulated that he had violated duties owed to a client, he had acted knowingly and he caused injury to the trust beneficiaries. In Maine, Attorney Dewhurst's misconduct would constitute analogous violations of M. R. Prof. Conduct 1.7(a)(2), 4.2 and 8.4(a).
Based upon the above rule violations, the Court finds, and Attorney Dewhurst has stipulated that reciprocal discipline in the form of a Reprimand in Maine is warranted. Accordingly, the Court ORDERS that Thomas E. Dewhurst III, Esq. is now reprimanded.
Dated: 1/5/23