People v. Lewis.

No. 21PDJ076. 8/29/2022. Opinion Imposing Sanctions.

August 29, 2022

Following a hearing on the sanctions, a hearing board suspended G. Keith Lewis (attorney registration number 43908) for one year and one day. The suspension, which was effective on November 23, 2022, took into account significant aggravating factors. To be reinstated to the practice of law in Colorado, Lewis must prove by clear and convincing evidence that he has been rehabilitated, has complied with all disciplinary orders and rules, and is fit to practice law.

From at least September 2019 through October 2020, Lewis failed to pay his child support obligation under a Maryland support order, and he did not have a pending motion to modify the order during that time. In April 2020, Lewis falsely attested on his 2020 Colorado attorney registration statement that he was in compliance with his child support obligation.

Through his conduct, Lewis violated Md. RPC 19-303.4(c) (a lawyer must not knowingly disobey an obligation under the rules of a tribunal) and Colo. RPC 8.4(c) (it is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation). Disciplinary authorities charged the violation of the Maryland rule of professional conduct under the choice of law provision found in Colo. RPC 8.5(b).