Ficker applying to return to law

Last year’s suspension followed grievances by clients

Last June the Maryland Court of Appeals ruled that Ficker had been careless in running a high-volume law practice that specializes in criminal matters primarily in District Court. The ruling was the result of grievances filed by three of his former clients.

The court issued an indefinite suspension but allowed Ficker to reapply for permission to practice law after one year.

The suspension handed down by the state’s highest court in 2007 was Ficker’s fifth accusation of violating attorney’s rules set by the state.

During the yearlong suspension, Ficker worked as a real estate broker in the county, doing business as Robin Realty. He also collected enough signatures to place a ballot question involving property tax collections on the November ballot. Ficker was also involved in the County Council campaign of Republican Mark Fennel, who lost the District 4 seat to Donald Praisner (D).

‘‘Every cloud has a silver lining,” Ficker, 65, said about his time off. ‘‘Everybody in their life has had some kind of disappointment ... some people go through a divorce, are in a traffic accident, have a child die ... all sorts of things can happen.”

Ficker, who lives in Boyds, was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 1973. In addition to his legal work, he has served a term in the Maryland House of Delegates and has been a candidate for several other state and local offices, including a 2006 bid for county executive. He has also one of 29 applicants to fill two seats on the county’s Planning Board.