Background
Julian Arnold Haffner, a member of the Maryland Bar, had previously been subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting in his suspension from the practice of law. The Supreme Court of Maryland had entered a prior Order on March 20, 2026, establishing the terms under which Haffner could be reinstated, including a mandatory probationary period.
On June 24, 2026, Haffner filed a petition for reinstatement with the Supreme Court of Maryland. Deputy Bar Counsel filed a response to the petition, and the Court considered both submissions before issuing its ruling the following day.
The Court’s Holding
The Supreme Court of Maryland granted Haffner’s petition for reinstatement, restoring him as a member of the Bar of Maryland effective June 25, 2026. The reinstatement was not unconditional: consistent with the Court’s March 20, 2026 Order, Haffner is subject to a one-year period of probation during which he is permitted to practice law in Maryland.
The Court also directed its Clerk to provide notice of the reinstatement Order in accordance with Maryland Rule 19-761, which governs notification procedures in attorney disciplinary and reinstatement matters.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court of Maryland reinstated Julian Arnold Haffner to the Maryland Bar, ending his suspension from the practice of law.
- Reinstatement is conditioned on a one-year probationary period, as previously established by the Court’s March 20, 2026 Order.
- The ruling followed review of both Haffner’s petition and Deputy Bar Counsel’s response, indicating no opposition sufficient to block reinstatement.
Why It Matters
This order illustrates the Maryland reinstatement process for suspended attorneys, where the petitioner must affirmatively seek reinstatement and Bar Counsel is given an opportunity to respond. The imposition of a probationary period reflects the Court’s approach of phased reintegration into practice rather than immediate unconditional reinstatement.
For practitioners and bar applicants, the case is a reminder that reinstatement after suspension is not automatic and may come with ongoing court supervision. Attorneys subject to Maryland disciplinary orders should be attentive to any conditions embedded in prior orders that will govern the terms of any eventual reinstatement.