Dreisbach, B. v. Montefusco, A.
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Opinion
J-S50016-17
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
BRENDA I. DREISBACH IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
v.
ANTONIO MONTEFUSCO
APPEAL OF: JOSEPH P. MAHER
No. 1851 EDA 2016
Appeal from the Order Entered May 10, 2016 In the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County Civil Division at No(s): C-48-CV-2015-5404
No. 3829 EDA 2016
Appeal from the Order Entered November 2, 2016 In the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County Civil Division at No(s): C-48-CV-2015-5404
BEFORE: PANELLA, J., MOULTON, J., and RANSOM, J.
MEMORANDUM BY MOULTON, J.: FILED OCTOBER 11, 2017 J-S50016-17
Joseph P. Maher appeals, pro se, from the May 10, 2016 and
November 2, 2016 orders holding him in contempt of court in relation to his
representation of Brenda I. Dreisbach (“Mother”) in the underlying
custody/relocation action between Mother and Antonio Montefusco and
imposing two separate fines of $500 on Maher for contempt.1 We affirm.
At docket 1851 EDA 2016, Maher appeals from a trial court order
finding him in contempt for failure to appear at a hearing. The trial court set
forth the factual and procedural history of the appeal in its Pennsylvania
Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925(a) opinion, which we adopt and
incorporate herein. Memorandum Opinion Pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a),
Docket No. 1851 EDA 2016, 8/31/16, at 1-4 (“1925(a) Op. at 1851 EDA
2016”).
At docket 3829 EDA 2016, Maher appeals from a trial court order
finding him in contempt for filing with this Court a response to an order to
show cause on behalf of a client after the trial court ordered him to engage
in no further activity on behalf of the client. The trial court set forth the
factual and procedural history of the appeal in its Rule 1925(a) opinion,
which we adopt and incorporate herein. Memorandum Opinion Pursuant to
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a), 2/3/17, at 1-6 (“1925(a) Op. at 3829 EDA 2016”).
Maher raises the following issues on appeal:
____________________________________________
1On March 6, 2016, this Court granted the motion filed by Maher to consolidate his appeals at Docket Nos. 1851 EDA 2016 and 3829 EDA 2016.
-2- J-S50016-17
A. Whether the trial court committed an error of law and/or abuse of discretion in that the trial court did not have subject matter juris[di]ction of the alleged misconduct pursuant to Rule of Prof. Conduct, 8.4(d), Article V, §10(c) of the Pennsylvania Constitution & Pa. Rules of Disciplinary Enfor[c]ement 103 and 201.
B. Whether the trial court committed an error of law and/or abuse of discretion by refusing to allow Maher to call [Mother] as a witness in the second contempt proceeding on October 21, 2016 based upon a blanket allegation by Attorney Cook that there existed an attorney client privilege to prevent her from test[i]fying?
C. Whether the trial court comm[i]tted an error of law and/or abuse of discretion in that he should not have been excluded from continuing to represent [Mother] particularly in her contempt appeal given that any record had already been made and he had not testified in any matter in prior proceedings in this case as it related to contempt issues?
D. Whether the trial court comm[i]tted an error of law and/or abuse of discretion in that Maher should not have been ex[cl]uded from the appeal in 2200 EDA 2016 [sic] given that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to remove him from the appeal which he had previously filed on behalf of [Mother] and no rationale pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1701 existed to preclude him from continuing to prosecute [Mother’s] contempt appeal?
Maher’s Br. at 4-5.2
Generally, whether a trial court possesses subject matter jurisdiction is
a question of law for which our standard of review is de novo and our scope
of review is plenary. See Orman v. Mortgage I.T., 118 A.3d 403, 406 ____________________________________________
2Maher raised four issues in his 1925(b) statement at docket 1851 EDA 2016 and ten issues in his 1925(b) statement at docket 3829 EDA 2016, all of which the trial court addressed in its 1925(a) opinions. On appeal, Maher raises only the four issues referenced above.
-3- J-S50016-17
(Pa.Super. 2015); S.K.C. v. J.L.C., 94 A.3d 402, 408 (Pa.Super. 2014).
Further, we review a trial court’s order regarding the admission of evidence
for an abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v. Cascardo, 981 A.2d 245,
249 (Pa.Super. 2009).
Here, the trial court concluded that it had subject matter jurisdiction to
issue the May 6, 2016 and October 21, 2016 contempt orders. 1925(a) Op.
at 1851 EDA 2016, at 6-7; 1925(a) Op. at 3829 EDA 2016, at 9-10.
Further, the trial court concluded that: (1) it did not err in refusing to allow
Maher to call Mother as a witness at the October 21, 2016 hearing, 1925(a)
Op. at 3829 EDA 2016, at 16-17; (2) it had jurisdiction to preclude Maher
from representing Mother even though Mother had a pending appeal, id. at
15; and (3) Maher waived his claim that the trial court erred in precluding
Maher from representing Mother by failing to file an appeal from the July 22,
2017 order precluding him from representing Mother, id. at 15-16.
Following our review of the briefs, the record, and the well-reasoned
opinions of the Honorable Jennifer R. Sletvold, we conclude that the trial
court did not err or abuse its discretion. We agree with and adopt the trial
court’s reasoning.3
3Further, to the extent Maher claims the trial court violated his due process rights, we conclude that the trial court properly concluded that it did not violate Maher’s rights and agree with and adopt its reasoning. See 1925(a) Op. at 1851 EDA 2016, at 7-14; 1925(a) Op. at 3829 EDA 2016, at 10-13.
-4- J-S50016-17
Orders affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary
Date: 10/11/2017
-5- Circulated 09/18/2017 09:21 AM
IN THE COURT OF COMMONPLEAS OF NORTHA...t1\1PTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL DIVISION
BREI"{DAI. DREISBACH Plaintiff No. C48-CV.;20l5-5404
v. CIVIL ACTION -LAW
1851 EDA 2016 ANTHONY MONTEFUSCO Defendant
MEMORANDUM OPINION PURSUANT TO PA;R.A.P. 1925(A)
This Memorandum Opinion is filed in accordance with Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate
Procedure 1925(a).. Joseph P. Maher, Esq. (hereinafter, . "Attorney. Maher") filed a Notice of
Appeal on June 15, 2016, from this Court's Order dated May 6, 2016 which found Attorney
Maher in contempt of court and fined him $5 00 for deliberately failing to appear with his client
at a scheduled court appearance. Attorney Maher is a third party in this case as he represented :;.- ~ Plaintiff, Brenda I. Dreisbach (hereinafter, ''Mother'}1 ;~ ,g ~ PROCEDURAL HISTORY r~ir ~ ;:};;g w ,. ·····- ~~--~ t ~....:'I,;'",:;
This case originates from Mother's Complaint in Custody against Anthony M.9j~sc~ i / ' ,- ~· :< ;2 M1 N ,. .... _~_.,.;.: (hereinafter, "Father"), which was filed on June 19, 2015. Attorney Maher entered has z,; c..ri C)
appearance on behalf of Mother on March 31, 2016. On April 18, 2016, Attorney Catherine
Kollet.filed a Petition for Contempt and Sanctions on behalf of Father. In that Petition, Father
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
J-S50016-17
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
BRENDA I. DREISBACH IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
v.
ANTONIO MONTEFUSCO
APPEAL OF: JOSEPH P. MAHER
No. 1851 EDA 2016
Appeal from the Order Entered May 10, 2016 In the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County Civil Division at No(s): C-48-CV-2015-5404
No. 3829 EDA 2016
Appeal from the Order Entered November 2, 2016 In the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County Civil Division at No(s): C-48-CV-2015-5404
BEFORE: PANELLA, J., MOULTON, J., and RANSOM, J.
MEMORANDUM BY MOULTON, J.: FILED OCTOBER 11, 2017 J-S50016-17
Joseph P. Maher appeals, pro se, from the May 10, 2016 and
November 2, 2016 orders holding him in contempt of court in relation to his
representation of Brenda I. Dreisbach (“Mother”) in the underlying
custody/relocation action between Mother and Antonio Montefusco and
imposing two separate fines of $500 on Maher for contempt.1 We affirm.
At docket 1851 EDA 2016, Maher appeals from a trial court order
finding him in contempt for failure to appear at a hearing. The trial court set
forth the factual and procedural history of the appeal in its Pennsylvania
Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925(a) opinion, which we adopt and
incorporate herein. Memorandum Opinion Pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a),
Docket No. 1851 EDA 2016, 8/31/16, at 1-4 (“1925(a) Op. at 1851 EDA
2016”).
At docket 3829 EDA 2016, Maher appeals from a trial court order
finding him in contempt for filing with this Court a response to an order to
show cause on behalf of a client after the trial court ordered him to engage
in no further activity on behalf of the client. The trial court set forth the
factual and procedural history of the appeal in its Rule 1925(a) opinion,
which we adopt and incorporate herein. Memorandum Opinion Pursuant to
Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a), 2/3/17, at 1-6 (“1925(a) Op. at 3829 EDA 2016”).
Maher raises the following issues on appeal:
____________________________________________
1On March 6, 2016, this Court granted the motion filed by Maher to consolidate his appeals at Docket Nos. 1851 EDA 2016 and 3829 EDA 2016.
-2- J-S50016-17
A. Whether the trial court committed an error of law and/or abuse of discretion in that the trial court did not have subject matter juris[di]ction of the alleged misconduct pursuant to Rule of Prof. Conduct, 8.4(d), Article V, §10(c) of the Pennsylvania Constitution & Pa. Rules of Disciplinary Enfor[c]ement 103 and 201.
B. Whether the trial court committed an error of law and/or abuse of discretion by refusing to allow Maher to call [Mother] as a witness in the second contempt proceeding on October 21, 2016 based upon a blanket allegation by Attorney Cook that there existed an attorney client privilege to prevent her from test[i]fying?
C. Whether the trial court comm[i]tted an error of law and/or abuse of discretion in that he should not have been excluded from continuing to represent [Mother] particularly in her contempt appeal given that any record had already been made and he had not testified in any matter in prior proceedings in this case as it related to contempt issues?
D. Whether the trial court comm[i]tted an error of law and/or abuse of discretion in that Maher should not have been ex[cl]uded from the appeal in 2200 EDA 2016 [sic] given that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to remove him from the appeal which he had previously filed on behalf of [Mother] and no rationale pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1701 existed to preclude him from continuing to prosecute [Mother’s] contempt appeal?
Maher’s Br. at 4-5.2
Generally, whether a trial court possesses subject matter jurisdiction is
a question of law for which our standard of review is de novo and our scope
of review is plenary. See Orman v. Mortgage I.T., 118 A.3d 403, 406 ____________________________________________
2Maher raised four issues in his 1925(b) statement at docket 1851 EDA 2016 and ten issues in his 1925(b) statement at docket 3829 EDA 2016, all of which the trial court addressed in its 1925(a) opinions. On appeal, Maher raises only the four issues referenced above.
-3- J-S50016-17
(Pa.Super. 2015); S.K.C. v. J.L.C., 94 A.3d 402, 408 (Pa.Super. 2014).
Further, we review a trial court’s order regarding the admission of evidence
for an abuse of discretion. Commonwealth v. Cascardo, 981 A.2d 245,
249 (Pa.Super. 2009).
Here, the trial court concluded that it had subject matter jurisdiction to
issue the May 6, 2016 and October 21, 2016 contempt orders. 1925(a) Op.
at 1851 EDA 2016, at 6-7; 1925(a) Op. at 3829 EDA 2016, at 9-10.
Further, the trial court concluded that: (1) it did not err in refusing to allow
Maher to call Mother as a witness at the October 21, 2016 hearing, 1925(a)
Op. at 3829 EDA 2016, at 16-17; (2) it had jurisdiction to preclude Maher
from representing Mother even though Mother had a pending appeal, id. at
15; and (3) Maher waived his claim that the trial court erred in precluding
Maher from representing Mother by failing to file an appeal from the July 22,
2017 order precluding him from representing Mother, id. at 15-16.
Following our review of the briefs, the record, and the well-reasoned
opinions of the Honorable Jennifer R. Sletvold, we conclude that the trial
court did not err or abuse its discretion. We agree with and adopt the trial
court’s reasoning.3
3Further, to the extent Maher claims the trial court violated his due process rights, we conclude that the trial court properly concluded that it did not violate Maher’s rights and agree with and adopt its reasoning. See 1925(a) Op. at 1851 EDA 2016, at 7-14; 1925(a) Op. at 3829 EDA 2016, at 10-13.
-4- J-S50016-17
Orders affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq. Prothonotary
Date: 10/11/2017
-5- Circulated 09/18/2017 09:21 AM
IN THE COURT OF COMMONPLEAS OF NORTHA...t1\1PTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL DIVISION
BREI"{DAI. DREISBACH Plaintiff No. C48-CV.;20l5-5404
v. CIVIL ACTION -LAW
1851 EDA 2016 ANTHONY MONTEFUSCO Defendant
MEMORANDUM OPINION PURSUANT TO PA;R.A.P. 1925(A)
This Memorandum Opinion is filed in accordance with Pennsylvania Rule of Appellate
Procedure 1925(a).. Joseph P. Maher, Esq. (hereinafter, . "Attorney. Maher") filed a Notice of
Appeal on June 15, 2016, from this Court's Order dated May 6, 2016 which found Attorney
Maher in contempt of court and fined him $5 00 for deliberately failing to appear with his client
at a scheduled court appearance. Attorney Maher is a third party in this case as he represented :;.- ~ Plaintiff, Brenda I. Dreisbach (hereinafter, ''Mother'}1 ;~ ,g ~ PROCEDURAL HISTORY r~ir ~ ;:};;g w ,. ·····- ~~--~ t ~....:'I,;'",:;
This case originates from Mother's Complaint in Custody against Anthony M.9j~sc~ i / ' ,- ~· :< ;2 M1 N ,. .... _~_.,.;.: (hereinafter, "Father"), which was filed on June 19, 2015. Attorney Maher entered has z,; c..ri C)
appearance on behalf of Mother on March 31, 2016. On April 18, 2016, Attorney Catherine
Kollet.filed a Petition for Contempt and Sanctions on behalf of Father. In that Petition, Father
"Attorney Maher's appearance on behalf of Mother has since been withdrawn per this Court's instructions due to a conflict of interest which was placed on.the record before the undersigned and in a separate proceeding regarding Mother's relocation request before the HonorableSamuel P. Murray of this Court. ·
1 alleged that Mother engaged in.a course of conduct to intentionally interfere with Father's court-
ordered visitation pursuant to the Custody Order and also committed perjury before the Court. A custody conference was heldbefore the Court's Custody Master on April 18, 2016. On April 20,
2012, the Custody Master praeciped this matter for the weekly Miscellaneous Courtlist. An
Order was issued reflecting this praecipe and placing the matter on the April 29, 2016
Miscellaneous Court List for a 9:00 a.m. hearing before the undersigned.
At approximately 4:25 p.m. on April 28, 2016, the day before the scheduled hearing,
Attorney Maher telephoned the chambers of the undersigned and verbally requested a
continuance on the basis that his "car was in the shop." Through its administrative assistant, the
Court denied this last minute verbal continuance request and directed Attorney Maher to appear
in Court. Specifically, the Court's administrative assistant, at the direction of the Court,
informed Attorney Maher that, as a result of his verbal request for a continuance being denied" he
was to appear at the hearing as scheduled with his client. Attorney Maher responded that he
would not be at the hearing, and would instead submit a written request for continuance the
following morning on the day of the hearing. Attorney Maher was advised that the Court would
not receive the request as the undersigned would be sitting on the bench for Miscellaneous Court
first thing in the morning and would be expecting Attorney Maher to be present for the scheduled
hearing.
On the morning of April 29, 2016, instead of appearing in court with his client as
directed, and in direct contravention of our scheduling Order and denial of his verbal
continuance request, Attorney Maher faxed the Court a letter at 8:07 a.rn., again indicating that
he would not appear because he was without a vehicle and enclosing a continuance form. Both
Attorney Maher and Mother failedto appear at this hearing. We conducted the hearing as
-----·-------------·---- scheduled. Father, Father's counsel, and a subpoenaed witness were all present in order to make
a record on Father's underlying Petition. Following this hearing, we found Mother in contempt
2 of court and awarded sanctions to Father. On that same date, we also issued a Rule to Show
3 Cause cm Attorney Maher regarding his failure to appear at the hearing.
Subsequent to Attorney Maher receiving notice of the Orders issued as a result of the
April 29, 2016 hearing and his failure to appear, Attorney Maher telephoned the undersigned's
judicial chambers, Attorney Maher engaged the undersigned's administrative assistant in
conversation wherein he expressed his dissatisfaction with the Orders, at which point the
undersigned intercepted the telephone call and instructed Attorney Mahet to appear on May 6,
2016 pursuant to the Rule Returnable indicated in the aforementioned Rule to Show Cause.
On May 6, 2016, Attorney Maher and Father's counsel appeared before the undersigned
for a hearing pursuant to the Rule to Show Cause. After considering all testimony and evidence
Attorney Maher had to offer at this hearing, we found that Attorney Maher deliberately neglected
the scheduled court appearance on April 29, 2016, of which he had sufficient notice, without a
legitimate excuse. We found him in contempt of court and fined him $500, On June 13, 2016,
Attorney Maher filed a Motion for Reconsideration of our Order, which Motion we denied.
Attorney Maher filed a Notice of Appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania on June
15, 2016 from our Order finding him in contempt of court." On June 21, 2016 we filed a
2 Since that time, Mother has filed a Motion for Reconsideration, which we denied. Mother appealed our Orders finding her in contempt and denying her Motion for Reconsideration, and that appeal is currently pending before the Superior Court. 3 The Rule to Show Cause states, in relevant part: "rule to show cause is issued on Attorney Maher to show cause why he should not be held in contempt for failure to appear per court instruction. Rule returnable for May 6, 2016 at 9 AM in courtroom 2." 4 We note that on June 15, 2016, Attorney Maher filed a Petition for Leaveto Proceed In Fonna Pauperis for purposes of this appeal; however, following a hearing held on June l 6, 20 l 6, the Honorable Anthony S. Beltrami denied this Petition.
_..... ·----------------------------- .. -.,,
Memorandum Opinion with the Superior Court indicating our belief that Attorney Maher's
appeal was untimely and should be quashed based on the date of the Order finding Attorney
Maher in contempt. However, the Superior Court indicated that Attorney Maher's appeal was
not untimely based on the date he was served with the Order as opposed to the date the Order
was entered on the docket. Via Order dated July 26, 2016, the Superior Court directed Attorney
Maherto file a docketing statement pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 3517. Thereafter, oh August 10, 2016,
Attorney Maher filed a Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal.
QUESTIONS PRESENTED
In Attorney Maher' s somewhat confusing Concise Statement, he raises the following as
issues:
A. "Whether the Trial Court committed an error oflaw and/or abuse of discretion in that Maher is of the contention that the procedure - or lack thereof- as to the Rule to Show Cause without a Motion for Contempt, violates Maher' s procedural due process rights under the Pennsylvania and U.S. Constitutions and the Pennsylvania and Northampton County Rules of Civil Procedure to have advance notice as to why it is alleged that he has committed some contemptuous action?"
B. "\Vb.ether the Trial Court committed an error oflaw and/or an abuse of discretion in the Petitioner is of the contention that Judge Sletvold exercising a 'duel [sic] role', Le. hearing officer and 'prosecutor', in this contempt matter constitutes a violation of Maher' s substantive due process rights under the Pennsylvania and U.S. Constitutions to have a fair, foll and complete, non-prejudicial hearing on his alleged contemptuous behavior under the present exigent circumstances that existed on the evening of April 28 and the morning of April 29,2016?''
C. "Whether the Trial Court committed an error oflaw and/or abuse of discretion in that Maher contends that this Honorable Court does nothave subject matter jurisdiction of the alleged 'misconduct' [sic] See, Rule of Prof. Conduct, 8.4(d), in this regard, but rather that such authority-pursuant to Article V, §10(c) of the Pennsylvania Constitution and Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement 103 and 201 - lies with The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania?"
D. "Whether the Trial Court committed an error of law and/or abuse ofdiscretion in that even if the Trial Court did have subject matter [sic] in this matter, the Trial Court did not abide. by the Pennsylvania Code of Civility, Part 1 concerning a judge's duties to lawyers, et al. This is particularly so given Maher's exigent circumstances that
·-------------· --------------------·---~---•H•••--n••----- . --•-n••---·---•HH••--•-n•••·------•moHoOO_O_H-hH•"•---·,-·.-·, necessitated the granting of a continuance to the Defendant's Motion for Contempt as to Maher' s client, Dreisbach, when such could have been continued until another time Or held in another matter, e.g. by telephone, given that there were no exigent circumstances relating to Defendant's Motion that could have not been delayed given that the allegations of said petition related to activity that had allegedly previously occurred over four (4) months prior and which activity was not related to any ongoing activity between the parties or contrary to the best interests to the minor child's custody?"
See, Attorney Maher' s "Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal Pursuant to PA.
R. A. P. 1925 (b)" at, 4 (A~D).
DISCUSSION
"Each court is the exclusive judge of contempts against its process," and on appeal, the
trial court's finding of contempt will only be reversed when there is clearly an abuse of
discretion. Com. v. Jackson, 532 A.2d 28, 31 {Pa. Super. 1987). Therefore, when reviewing a
contempt conviction, much reliance is given to the discretion of the trialjudge. Com. v. Worthy,
512 A.2d 39, 40 (Pa. Super. 1986). Unless the trial court overrides or misapplies the law in
reaching its 'conclusion or its judgment is manifestly unreasonable, an appellate court will not
find an abuse of discretion merely for an error of judgment. Com v. Baker, 564 Pa. 192, 198,
766 A.2d 328, 331 (2001).
In this case, Attorney Maher appeaTs to raise four issues on appeal. His first and second
issues appear to pertain to violations of his procedural and substantive due process rights. See
Attorney Maher' s "Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal Pursuant to PA. R.
A. P. 1925 (b)" at 14 (A-B). Third, Attorney Maher contends that we lack subject matter
jurisdiction in this matter as the appropriate authority "lies with the Disciplinary Board of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania" pursuant to the Pennsylvania Constitution. Id. at 14 (C). Finally, Attorney Maher argues that, given the factual circumstances in the instant case, we
--- ..···--·-------·---------------------------- violated the "Pennsylvania Code of Civility, Part I concerning a judge's duties to lawyers, et al."
Id. at ,r Id. at ,r 4(D). We will address each ofthese issues in tum.
A. This Court had Subject Matter Jurisdiction to Find Attorney Maher in Contempt
Contrary to Attorney Maher' s contention that we had no authority to find him in
contempt pursuant to Article Vofthe Pennsylvania Constitution, we submit that atrial court
judge's contempt power flows inherently from historical common law and from the judicial
power granted by the Pennsylvania Constitution. lbs well-settledthati'[cjourts possess an
inherent power to enforce their orders by way of the power of contempt.'' Dep't ofEnvtl. Prat. v.
Cromwell Twp., Huntingdon Cnty., 613 Pa. 1, 32 A.3d 639, 653 (2011) (citations omitted). This
power is derived from "a right inherent in courts and is incidental to the grant ofjudicial power
under Article 5 of our Constitution." Com. v. McMullen, 599 Pa. 435, 961 A.2d 842 (2008)
(emphasis added}. Further, we point out that although the Crimes Code abolished common law
crimes (See 18 Pa.C.S. §107(b)) it also provided in is preliminary provisions that "[tjhis section
does not affect the power of a court to ... punish for contempt or to employ any sanction
authorized by law for the enforcement of an order ... " See 18 Pa.C.S. §107(c).
This inherent power of a trial judge to enforce orders specifically includes the power to
impose summary findings of criminal contempt, punishing willful misconduct that obstructs the
administration of justice. Com, v, Garrison, 478 Pa. 356, 365, 386 A.2d 971, 975 (1978).5
Nevertheless, in seeking to regulate the manner of the exercise ofthe power of summary
contempt, the legislature restricted the imposition of summary punishments for contempts of
court to the following cases:
5 We note that the term "misconduct" simply refers to "behavior that is inappropriate to the role of the actor." Himesv. Himes, 833 A.;1d 1124 (Pa. Super. 2003).
-···-·- ......_ _ (1) The official rnisconduct of the officers of such courts respectively. (2) Disobedience or neglect by officers, parties.jurors or witnesses of or to the lawful process of the court (3) The misbehavior of any person in the presence of the court, thereby obstructing the administration of justice.
42 Pa.C.S.A. §4132.
In this matter, we imposed a summary punishment for contempt because we found that
AttorneyMaher had deliberately failed to attend a scheduled court appearance with bis client
when he had sufficient notice, without a legitimate excuse. A deliberate absence from a
scheduled court proceeding, if established, falls within the purview of the prohibition set forth
under subsection two of 42 Pa.C.S,A. §4132, set forth above. See Com. v. Marcone, 487 Pa.
572, 583, 410 A.2d 759, 765 (1980); see also Com. v. Debose, 833 A.2d 147 (Pa. Super. 2003}.
Given the foregoing, Attorney Maher's first issue lacks merit It is without question that
this Court possessed the inherent power to find Attorney Maher in contempt for failing to appear
for a hearing despite a.clear Order of Court and subsequent verbal instruction from this Court,
both of which demanded his appearance.
B. AttorneyMaher's ProceduralDue Process Rights WereNot Violated
Contempt may be of a civil or criminal nature. This distinction between a civil and
criminal contempt is crucial because the classification determines what procedural rights are
conferred. Com. v. Ashton, 824 A.2d 1198, 1202 (Pa. Super 2003). "The distinction between
criminal and civil contempt is ... a distinction between two permissible judicial responses to
contumacious behavior. These judicial responses are classified according to the dominant
purpose of the court." Com v. Griffiths, 15 A.3 d 73, 77 (Pa. Super. 2010). It is the judge's
purpose in crafting the contempt order that determines whether the Order is characterized as civil
or criminal contempt. The purpose of criminal contempt is to vindicate the Court's authority,
7 and therefore, to punish the contemnor for his actions; the contemno:t, unlike with civil contempt,
is powerless to escape sanctioning by compliance. See Ingebrethsen v. Ingebrethsen, 661 A.2d
403, 405 (Pa. Super. 1995).
As discussed supra, we intended to make, and did make, an adjudication of criminal
contempt that falls within thepurview of 42 Pa.C.S.A. §4132 (2). We did so to admonish
Attorney Maher and to vindicate the authority of the Court. This was not a situation where
Attorney Maher could remedy his misconduct by compliance. Summary action permits the court
to eliminate traditional steps involved in an adjudication, including all that goes with a
conventional court.trial such as "the issuance of process, service of complaint and answer,
holding of hearings, taking evidence, listening to arguments, awaiting briefs, [and] submission of
findings." See Sacher v. UnitedStates,343 U.S. 1, 9, 72 S.Ct. 451, 455, 96 L.Ed. 717, 724
(1952). However, we acknowledge that the contemnor must be given an opportunity to rebut the
charges. Com. v. Pruitt, 764 A.2d 569, 576 (Pa. Super. 2000).
A trial court may not properly hold an attorney in contempt and impose a fine for the
failure to appear in opposition to a motion for sanctions where counsel is not given any notice
that a charge of criminal contempt is being considered by the Court and is given no opportunity
to be heard in response to such a charge. See Simpson v. Allstate Ins. Co., 504A2d 335, 338
(Pa. Super. 1986). In the case sub judice, Attorney Maher was afforded procedural safeguards.
He was given notice that a charge of contempt was being considered by the Court, and he was
afforded art opportunity to be heard.
Specifically, we issued a Rule to Show Cause on Attorney Maher on April 29, 2016, and
Attorney Maher responded to the Rule Returnable on May 6, 2016 when he appeared for a
hearing regarding why he should not be held in contempt for failure to appear for the hearing in
8 the underlying matter that had been scheduled for April 29, 2016 on Father; s Petition per Order
and per subsequent Court instruction. Despite Attorney Maher's contention that he did not voice
objections at the May 6, 2016 hearing because "he was not of the opinion as to him making
objections to the various exhibits or the testimony surrounding said exhibit or other matters
would not [sic] be considered" (Concise Statement at pp. 2-3), Attorney Maher was given an
unfettered opportunity to be heard on May 6, 2016.
Subsequent to the Court making a record of what had transpired, we asked Attorney
Maher to tell the Court what he wanted itto know regarding his failure to appear and the reason
that he summarily decided not to appear for his court-ordered appearance on April 29, 2016. See
Notes of Testimony (N.T,), 5/6/16, at p. 6. Attorney Maher used this time to explain that he had
problems with his vehicle, thathe could not find an alternative tide to get to the courthouse, and
that he was not "aware of any real suitable taxi service." N.T., 5/6/16 at pp. 6-8. Attorney
Maher was also offered the opportunity to provide evidence to prove to the Court that his vehicle
was, in fact, in the garage as he indicated. However, Attorney Maher could not offer a receipt
because this garage "doesn't give any receipts." Id. at p. 9-10. Thefollowing exchange took
place on the record:
THE COURT: What' s the name of that garage?
ATTORNEY MAHER. I dori't.remember what the guy's name-« I just recently used him. A friend of mine found him. He's relatively inexperienced. His name is Eddie.
THE COURT: Did you provide the Court with any receipts that your carwas, in fact, there?
ATTORNEY MAHER: He doesn't give any receipts; Your Honor.
9 Id. at pp. 9-10. While Attorney Maher did offer an apology during the course of his explanation,
we found his testimony to be lacking in credibility. His "mea culpa" attitude and apology were
insincere and manipulative. He failed to sway our decision to hold him in contempt of court.
As we noted on the record during the May 6, 2016 hearing on the rule to show cause,
Attorney Maher has a penchant for making ex parte communications to the Court. He has, in the
past, sent an exparte letter to this Court consisting oflegal arguments. As a result, we had sent
him correspondence instructing him to refrain from sending such communication to the Court.6
Despite ow correspondence to Attorney Maher alerting him as to the impropriety ofexparte
communications, Attorney Maher has made several ex parte communications to the Court during
the course of the instant matter, including, inter alia, a telephone call during which he attempted
to rationalize why he failed to appear and engaged our administrative assistant in a discussion
regarding his dissatisfaction with Court Orders.
Our findings with respect to Attorney Maher' s contempt are bolstered by the fact that
Attorney Maher has a record of ignoring Court directives and has previously been disciplined for
evading proper procedure. Moreover, as we evidenced on the record, this is not the first time
that Attorney Maher has used his car problems as an excuse to avoid court deadlines. In a
separate matter which was before the Honorable Kimberly McFadden, Attorney Maher filed a
"Motion for Reconsideration - Nunc Pro Tune Concise Statement Filing" in which he blamed bis
car troubles for a late filing. Inparagraph 5 of this Motion, Attorney Maher indicated that he
could not meet his March I 0,2016 filing deadline because his" ... automobile experienced a
major mechanical failure." He went on to state: "[ t]hrough a series of third party delays and
miscommunications, [Attorney Maher] did notreceive bis one and only personal vehicle back in
6 This correspondence was made part of the record during the May 6,2016 hearing. 7 This call was made after the Rule.to Show Cause was issued, but before the Rule Returnable date.
-·-·---·---·-·--· ------------------------------ his possession until late in the day on Friday, March 11, 2016, even though he had anticipated
having such back into his possession original [sic] by mid-day March 1 oth and then subsequently
by mid-day on March 11th." 8
C. Attorney Maher's SubstantiveDue Process Rights Were Not Violated
As discussed, we found Attorney Maher to be in criminal contempt pursuant to 42
Pa.C.S.A. §4132 (2). The appellate courts of this Commonwealth have interpreted this Section
as requiring the following four elements to support a finding of criminal contempt for
"disobedience or neglect":
(1) The [court's] order or decree must be definite, clear, specific and leave no doubt or uncertainty in the mind of the person to whom it was addressed ofthe conduct prohibited; (2) The contemnor must have had notice ofthe specific order or decree; (3) The act constituting the violation must have been volitional; and (4) The contemnor must have acted with wrongful intent.
8 Apart from the aforesaid instances, Attorney Maher is well-known to the otherjudges of Northampton County, as well as Lehigh County, for being disrespectful of'the Court's time and procedure and for raising frivolous issues. Significantly, the Superior Court noted Attorney Maher's incessant disregard for court Orders in its opinion filed on December 14, 2015, which stemmed from a custody case in Lehigh County. In this custody matter, the trial court ordered Attorney Maher not to represent the father because he had previously represented the mother in other unrelated cases. The mother filed a contempt petition alleging that Attorney Maher filed motions on the father's behalf after being ordered not to represent father. The trial court found Attorney Maher in contempt as a result. Following the custody trial in Lehigh County, during which the father represented himself, the trial court entered an Order granting primary physical custody to mother. The father, through Attorney Maher, filed a notice of appeal and a concise statem:ent of errors complained of on appeal. On appeal, the Superior Court stated:
Instead of appealing the preclusion issue separately, as would be procedurally and ethically proper at this point, Attorney Maher has· continued in his malfeasance by bringing the instant appeal on· behalf of both himself and Father. We cannot stress enough our condemnation of Maher 's continued disregardfor the trial court's orders. Upon the return of this custody matter to the trial court, we recommend the court explore disciplinary action and additional sanctions as it sees fit.
E.R. v, JN.B., 129 A.3d 521 (Pa. Super, 2015), appeal denied, 135 A.3d 586 (Pa.201(5) (emphasis added).
Yet another instance ofAttomey Maher's disregard for the Court's time and processes occurred in ·Northampton County in a Protection from.Abuse (PFA) matter involving Mother and Father in the instant case. The Honorable Anthony Beltrami denied Mother a PFA against Father; AttorneyMaher then appealed Judge Beltrami's Order, and after Judge Beltrami authored an opinion pursuantto Pa.RAP. 1925(a), the appeal was quashed due to Attorney Maher' s failure to file a brief.
11 . . ....., _
Com. v. Zacher, 689 A.2d 267, 268-69 (Pa; Super. 1997) (citations omitted). Further, in order to
prove contempt, the evidence must support that the alleged contemptuous act was "intentional
disobedience or an intentionalneglectofthe lawful process of the court.'' Pruitt, 764 A.2d at
574 (citation omitted). Our Superior Court has held that in order to prove that an attorney acted
intentionally, it is sufficient to demonstrate that they acted with reckless disregard. McCu$ker v.
McCusker, 631 A.2d 645 (Pa. Super. 1993). A subjective intent to obstruct the administration of
justice is not a requisite of criminal contempt. Com. v. Owens, 496 Pa. 16, 24, 436 A.2d 129,
133 (1981).
The first element requires that an officer of the Court clearly and without a doubt know
that he was required to appear in court as scheduled. The evidence here shows that Attorney
Maher knew, without a doubt, of the Orderrequiring bis appearance on April 29, 2016 because
he twice requested a continuance of the hearing. He does not contest that he was scheduled to
appear, but rather, he objects to our unwillingness to grant him a continuance.
The second element, whether Attorney Maher had notice of the specific Order, is again
satisfied because he contacted the Court in response to the Order requiring his appearance in
court on April 29, 2016.
The third element focuses on whether Attorney Mahers violation was volitional.
Attorney Maher made a deliberate choice not to be present as ordered. There is no question that
Attorney Maher was aware of the court-ordered obligationto appear and purposely failed to meet
this obligation. His failure to appear was not a mere oversight, and this was demonstrated by his
cenversation with the Court's administrative assistant wherein, despite being told that he must
attend the hearing the next day, he was adamant that he would be submitting a written
continuance on the morning of the hearing rather than appearing. Further, our directive for
___ ,, ·------------ Attorney Maher to be present at the hearing, despite his car trouble, was not unreasonable. This
was not a situation where Attorney Maher' s failure to appear was due to conflicting in-court
commitments or due to an overly burdensome caseload. See In re Bernhart, 501 Pa. 428, 461
A.2d 1232 (1983); Matter of Ring, 492 Pa. 407, 424 A.2d 1255 (1981); Com. v. Debose, 833
A.2d 147 (Pa. Super. 2003); Com v. Kolansky, 800 A.2d 937 {Pa. Super. 2002). There were
avenues open to Attorney Maher, a local attorney ,9 by which he could have arrived at the
courthouse without resorting to deliberately disregarding his responsibility to the Court and his
former client, i.e. transportation via Uber or an alternate taxi service. Further, he waited until
close to the close of business the afternoon before the hearing to alert the Court, via telephone, of
his alleged car trouble, and he did not notify opposing counsel. Further, he did not advise his
client to appear.
Finally; the third element regarding volition goes hand-in-hand with the fourth element
which addresses whether the contemnor acted with wrongful intent. "The minimum intent
requited to prove contemptis 'a volitional act done by one who knows or should reasonably be
aware that his conduct.is wrongful.' ... However, ... direct ( as well as subjective) intentis not
necessary where a reckless disregard for the directions of the court can be proven." McCusker,
631 A.2d at 648-649 (1993) (internal citations omitted).
When Attorney Maher decided to forego the other transportation options available to
him, and instead submitted a written continuance after his verbal request for continuance was
denied, his behavior was such that he acted with reckless disregard as well as wrongful intent.
The willfulness of his conduct in this instance is further demonstrated by Attorney Maher' s
9 According to the Supreme Court Disciplinary Board Attorney Directory, Attorney Maher is located in Lehigh County which is a neighboring county to Northampton County.
13 record, outlined supra, reflecting a continuing course of conduct in failing to comply with court
directives.
D, This CourtActed in Accordance with Pennsylvania'sCode of Civility
Attorney Maher contends that, given his "exigent circumstances that necessitated the
granting of a continuance" in the instantmatter, this Court did not "abide by the Pennsylvania
Code of Civility, Part 1 concerning a judge's duties to lawyers, et al." Our Supreme Court
adopted the Code of Civility with the intent of encouraging "lawyers.judges, and court personnel
to practice civility and decorum and to confirm the legal profession's status as an honorable and
respected profession that observes courtesy and civility as a matter of course." See Pa. Code of
Civility, Preamble. We submit, however, that the Code of Civility, while it serves an important
role as a reminder to judges and lawyers to act with courtesy and civility, does not "supersede or
alter existing disciplinary codes or standards ofconduct and may not be used as a basis for
litigation, lawyer discipline, or sanctions." Id. It is often appropriate and necessary for a Court
to implement its inherent authority in holding in contempt of court an attorney who acts in
blatant disregard of the Court's authority.
Contrary to Attorney Maher' s contention that we did not abide by the Code of Civility,
finding Attorney Maher in contempt was necessary in order to effectuate our duties in
accordance with the Code of Civility and in accordance with the efficient administration of
justice. Article I of the Code of Civility, which pertains to a judge's duties to lawyers and other
judges, provides inpertinent part the following:
I. Ajudgemust maintain control of the proceedings andhas an obligation to ensure that proceedings are conducted in a civil manner.
2. A judge should showrespect, courtesy and patience to the lawyers, parties and all participants in the legal process by treating all with civility .
.14 7. A judge should be punctual in convening trials, hearings, meetings and conferences.
8. A judge should be considerate of the time constraints upon lawyers, parties and witnesses and the expenses attendant to litigation when scheduling trials, hearings, meetings and conferences to the extent such scheduling is consistent with the efficient conduct of litigation.
Pa. Code of Civility, Art. I. Inaccordance with the duties set forth above, this Court must
maintain control of the proceedings; show respect to alllawyers and participants in the legal
process; punctually convene heatings; and be considerate of time constraints on lawyers, parties,
and witnesses. Inthe instant case, Father, his counsel, a witness who was present pursuant to a
subpoena, and the Court were ready and prepared for the scheduled hearing. Accordingly, we
took appropriate action in holding the hearing at the scheduled time and issuing a Rule to Show
Cause on Attorney Maher.
Moreover, we point out that the Code of Civility goes beyond Article I to include Article
II, pertaining to a lawyer' s duties to the court. These duties include in relevant part the
following:
9. A lawyer should. be punctual and prepared for all court appearances.
10. A lawyer should avoid ex parte communications with the court, including the judge's letters and other forms orwritten staff, on pending matters in p~rson, by relephone or in communication unless authorized. Communication with the judge on any matter pending before thejudge, without notice to opposing counsel, is strictly prohibited.
11. A lawyer .should be considerate of the time constraints and pressures on the court in the court's effort to administer justice and make every effort to comply with schedules set by the court.
17. A lawyer should demonstrate respect for other lawyers; which requires that counsel be punctual in meeting appointments with other lawyers and considerate of the schedules of other participants in the legal process; adhere to commitments, Whether made orally or in writing; and respond promptly to communications from otherlawyers.
-------"""'--"-'-'~- ·-------·---- ·····---· . . ··- Pa. Code of Civility, Art. Ir.
Attorney Maher cites to portions of the Civility Code in his argument, but the Code must
be considered in its entirety, together with Attorney Maher's own actions before the Court.
While we do not make it a practice of holding attorneys in contempt, indeed the undersigned has
never done so prior to Attorney Maher, we have an obligation to hold an attorney in contempt
when he intentionally and illegitimately disregards the authority of the Court and takes no care
with regard to the administration ofjustice.
With his actions, Attorney Maher did a disservice to his client, to opposing counsel, to
opposing counsel's client, and to the judiciary. His blatant disregard for the Court's authority
was unacceptable, and his excuse was weak and lacking in credibility. In order to vindicate the
dignity and authority of the court and to protect the interests of the general public, it is
imperative to punish an attorney of record that chooses not to appear in court when scheduled.
Accordingly, Attorney Maher's appeal lacks merit and should be denied.
BY THE COURT,
Date:
-t5:{3 l { (to ~--- . .JENNIFER~, .Iudge
-·----- ...·-- .. -···---''"'"··-·-- .,,. ,· :.:.---~---------- ............------·--- Circulated 09/18/2017 09:21 AM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF NORTHAlvlPTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA CIVIL DIVISION
BRENDA I. DREISBACH Plaintiff No. C48-CV-2015-5404
Y. CIVIL ACTION- LAW
3829 EDA 2016 ANTHONY l\lONTEFUSCO Defendant I ::.~.f~.: MEMORANDUM OPINIONPURSUANT TO PA.R.A.P. 1925(A); ~1 ~ .•. This Memorandum Opinion is filed in accordance with Pennsylvania Rule o:f.Appell~~ ~ ' ~-
Procedure 1925(a). Joseph P. Maher, Esq. (hereinafter, "Attorney Maher") filed a Notice of
Appeal on December 5, 2016, from.this Court's Order dated October 2L 2016, which found
Attorney Maher in contempt of court and fined him $500 for deliberately disobeying a clear
directive of this Court Attorney Maher is a third party in this case as he represented Plaintiff.
Brenda I. Dreisbach (hereinafter, "Ms. Dreisbach"). By way of background, Attorney Maher
represented Ms. Dreisbach with respect to several captioned matters pertainingto child custody
and relocation. During the course of these matters, we held Ms. Dreisbach in contempt once and
held Attorney Maher in contempt twice. This appeal pertains to our second Order of contempt · .. A. . . . t against ttorney Maher.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
For background purposes, there have been t\VO other parallel appeals taken from the
undersigned's Orders docketed at trial court number C48-rV-2015-5404. The first was an
1 Attorney Maher's appearance on behalf ofMs, Dreisbach has since been withdrawn perthis Court's instructions, as more fully explained below. due to a conflict of interest which was placed on the record before the undersigned and in a separate proceeding regarding Ms. Dreisbach 's relocation request before the Honorable Samuel P. Murrav of ibis Court. ..
.·1 ~\({} , ·-~~ .. . appeal of Ms. Dreisbach from an Order holding her in contempt, which appeal has since been
quashed by the Superior Court. 2 The-second is Attorney Maher's appeal from an Order holding
him in contempt for failure to appear at a scheduled court-ordered hearing.' Attorney Maher appealed our first contempt Order against him, and that appeal.is still pending.
In the instantmatter, we held Attorney Maher in contempt for continuing to act as
counsel for Ms. Dreisbach in spite of several directives from two judges of this Court that he cease the representation. QnJ uly 13, 201 Q, the Honorable Samuel Murray of this Court
conducted a hearing pursuant to Ms. Dreisbach's request forrelocationin custody. On that date,
AttorneyMaherindicated to Judge Murray that he would be withdrawing his appearance from
representing Ms. Dreisbach because he intended to be a fact witness in the relocation matter as
well as in an underlying protection from abusematter involving the same parties." Judge Murray
noted several times on the record that Attorney Maher had a conflict of interest with respect to
his representation ofMs, Dreisbach.5, 6 As a result, Judge Murray granted Attorney Maher leave
2 Ms. Dreisbach has since appealed the Superior Court's decision to quash her appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
3 The instant case is the second time that we have held Attorney Maher in contempt in this case. Forthe Superior Court's convenience.fhe complex procedura1 background of'this case at the time of Attorney Maher's involvement is outlined. in our Memorandum pursuant to Pa.RA.P. '1925(a), which was filed on August 31. 2016 with regard to Attorney Maherts appeal from our Order holding him in contempt for failure to appear. 4The notes of'testimony of the July l3, 2016 proceeding before Judge Murray were made part of the record during Attorney Maher's October 21, 2016 contempthearing,
At theJuly 13, 2016 hearing, Attorney Maher indicated that he would be withdrawing his appearance on behalf of ,i
Ms. Dreisbach because he would be a fact witness i11 the underlying Protection from Abuse and/or relocation matters. When Judge Murray asked Attorney Maher why he would be a fact witness, Attorney Maher stated:
Welt, Your Honor, as Attorney Koll et knows and she mentioned it once before in court in another proceeding, Iam also the Godfather of the older child, So since this gets involved with both of them, you know - I've seen both the younger child and the older child ii1 various stages there, so it's possible I might possibly be involved in this one, but! am definitely involved with the older child and so that sort of-the two cases are becoming intermingled particularly because attorney Koll et is doing both of them.
N.T . at p. 8. With respect to the older child, Attorney Maher further explained that he has seen her on numerous occasions, over the Iastthree or fourmonths, and it was revealed that he became her Godfather, not at her birth, but
2 --· -~-·-----··- ---- .. -- ,- ----------,-, · --·-. ·-.. _. · ·-- ~-- . ·----·~-~--· ~- ·--~-- ------ .. , " " ..
to withdraw as counsel for Ms. Dreisbach, and Attorney Everett Cook assumed representation of
Ms. Dreisbach.
OnJuly 22, 2016, the undersigned conducted a conference with respect to Ms.
Dreisbach' s appeal from our April 29, 2 016 Order holding her in contempt The purpose of that
hearing. was to determine who would appropriately represent . Ms. Dreisbach before the Superior
Court because; as of that date, she had three attorneys of record: Attorney Maher, Attorney Cook, and Attorney Ian Musselman. At this conference, we asked Ms. Dreisbach what her
wishes were with respectto whom she would like to represent her on appeal. :Ms. Dreisbach
stated on the record, "Apparently, as you stated, Your Honor, the conflict that you feel at hand
it's probably bestthat.Attorney Cook probably represent me on allcases in regards to
Northampton County to_prevent any further conflicts." See N.T., 7/22/16, at p, 15.7 As a result
of the· conflict that was noted by Judge Murray and by the undersigned, as well as Ms.
just afew months prior when she received First Holy Communion. Id. at pp. 9-J 0. Judge Murray noted several times on the record thatthis created a confllct-of tnterest. Id. atpp. 9-10. Judge Murray acknowledged that Attorney Maher' s significant involvement with Ms. Dreisbach' s oldest child created a conflict of interest; which conflict was heightened by the fact that Mr. Maher also babysat for Ms. Dreisbach's children. id. This fact was especially relevant because, as Judge Murray noted, opposing counsel was alleging in the Protection from Abuse matter that the oldest child was used too frequently asababysitter, Id. atp, 11. Judge Murray then stated to Attorney Maher, "I do not think you should be involved.in the case." Id. Attorney. Maher agreed With Judge Murrayat the time of the JulY13,.20 ts heating when he stated, "[t]hat's my understanding, Your Honor. It's become -very complicated here." Id. · ·
6 Attorney Maher admitted his potential to beafactwitness in atleast one other of Ms. Dreisbacb 's matters. Rule of Professional Conduct3.7 provides the following:
(a) A lawyer.shall not act as advocate at a trial in which the lawyer ts likely to be a necessary witness unless: · (i) the testimony relates to an uncontested issue; (2) the testimony relates to the nature and value of legal services rendered in the case; or (J) disqualification of the lawyer would worksubstantial hardship on the client. . (b) A lawyer may act as advocate in a trial in which another lawyer in the lawyer's firm is likely to be called as a witness unless precluded from doing so by Rule 1.7 or Rule 1.9.
PAST RFC Rule 3.7. Also; as noted infra, Ms. Dreisbach herself indicated that she thought it was best for her to proceed with alternate counsel. 71:he notes oftestimony of the July 22, 2016 proceeding were made part of the record during Attorney Maher's October 21, 2016 contempt hearing. · · ............
3 .._. '.
Dreisbach 's own wishes, we directed Attorney Maher, via a clear Order, to engage in no further activity with respect to representing Ms. Dreisbach either before. this Court or before the
Superior Court in her.matters involving custody and relocation.
Atthe July 22, 2016 hearing, the following interaction took place on the record between
Attorney Maher and the undersigned:
THE COURT: "Attorney Maher, Tam directing you to have no further activity as far· as acting as counsel for Ms. Dreisbach pertaining to anything in the trial court or in the Superior Court in the custodyand relocation matter bearing case number 2015-5404. Do you understand?" MR.MAHER! "Your Honor, does that include my case because it's the only thing that's the docket number that they have for that." THKCOUR.T: "It . does not. Yon can represent yourself on appeal . from your own contempt petition but you cannot represent Ms. Dreisbach or any way act as her representative before the court here or the Superior Court with respect to her custody; her relocation, or her Superior Court.appeal, Do you understand?"
MR. MAHER: ''I understand."
THE COURT: "Is anything I said to you unclear?"
MR.MAHER: "No, Yow Borror. Ifs not" N.T. (7/22/16) at pp. 17-18-.
Importantly, no challenge or appeal was filed with. respect to the July 22, 2016 Order
directing Attorney Maherto cease his representation of Ms. Dreisbach in the aforementioned
matters.
At the time of the July 22, 2016 conference, we granted Attorney Musselman leave to
withdraw, and Attorney Cook, who represented Ms. Dreisbach in her.relocation and protection
from abuse matters, stated that he would be willing to also represent her with respect to the
appeal before the Superior Court on lier appeal from the contempt Order. Attorney Cook
4 -----n•~·----·--,•-·--••••-rnu-----•:..,.,-•.••••"-••-•-••-•-• ·.·'--·-~- '·.-•• ·-•••"••. -·. ••
•..._.
subsequently filed a. Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal on behalf of Ms. Dreisbach
on August I, 2016'.
On August 18, 2.016, the Superior Court filed an Order indicating the untimeliness of Ms.
Dreisbach's appeal of the undersigned's contempt Order of April 29, 2016 and directing Ms.
Dreisbach to show cause as to the basis ofthe Superior Court'sjurisdiction over her appeal.
When this Court.received a copy of the August 18, 2016 Order, we noticed that it had been sent
only to Attorney Maher as opposed to Attorney Cook As a result, we forwarded a copy of the
Order to Attorney Cook on August 31, 2016.
Inspite of the undersigned's clear directive of July 22, 2016, instructing Attorney Maher
to engage in no further activity in the.trial court or in the SuperiorCourt on behalfof Ms,
Dreisbach, on August 31, 2016, Attorney Maher filed a response on behalf of Ms. Dreisbach
pursuant to the Superior Court's rule to show cause. In that filing.Attorney Maher indicates, "It
was decided between the three counsel that it was best that Attorney.Maher handle the reply to
this Honorable Court's August 18, 2016 Rule to Show Cause." Accordingly, on September 29,
2016; the undersigned issued a rule to show cause on Attorneys Maher and Cook to show -..vhy
they should not be held in contempt .of the July 22, 2016 Order prohibiting Attorney Maher from
engaging in any ·f'urtheI" activity on behalf of Ms. :bn,is b ach,
On October 21, 2016, Attorney Maher and Attorney Cook appeared before the
undersigned for a hearing pursuant to the rule to show cause, After consi dering all testimony
and evidence that Attorney Maherhad to offer at this hearing, we found that Attorney Maher
deliberately disobeyed our Order of July 22, 2016 and that he did so in contravention of Ms.
Dreisbach's stated wishes on the record. Specifically.in Attorney Maher's August 31, 2016
response to the Superior Court, he stated that "[i]t was decided between the three counsel that it
5 - .--·~-·.-~·-.--· · -~··· .. ----·" - ··--··
was bestthat Attorney Maher handle the reply to this Honorable Court' s August 18, 2016 Rule
to Show Cause." At his contempthearing on October 21, 2016, Attorney Maher, himself,
admitted on the record that he never spoke with Attorney Cookabout such an agreement. N.T.
(10/21/16) at.p, '14. Further, Attorney Cook credibly testified at this hearing that he never spoke
to Attorney Maher about an agreement which would entail Attorney Maher replying to the
Superior Court. Id. at p. 6 .. On this basis, we found him in contempt of court and fined him
$500.
Attorney Maherfiled a Notice of Appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania on
December 5, 2016 from this Order finding him in contempt of court.8 On January 4, 2017,
Attorney Maherfiled a Concise Statement ofMatters Complained of onAppeal.
In Attorney Maher's somewhat confusing Concise Statement, he raises the following as
A "Whether the Trial Court committed an error of law and/or abuse of discretion in that Maher is of the contention that the procedure - or lack thereof- as to the Rule to Show Cause without a Motion for Contempt, violates Maher' s procedural due process rights under the Pennsylvania and U.S. Constitutions and the Pennsylvania and Northampton County Rules of Civil Procedure to have advance notice as to why it is alleged that he has committed some contemptuous action?"
B. "Whether the Trial Court committed an error of law and/or an abuse of discretion in that Petitioner is of'the contention that Judge Sletvold exercising a 'duel [sic] role', i.e. hearing officer and 'prosecutor', in this contempt matter constitutes a violation of Mah.er's substantive due process .rights under the Pennsylvania and U.S. Constitutions to have a fair, full and complete, non-prejudicial hearing on his alleged contemptuous behavior under the present exigent circumstances that existed on October 21, 2016?"
C "Whether the TrialCourt committed an error oflaw and/or an abuse of discretion in that Maher contends that this Honorable Court does not have subject matter jurisdiction of the alleged 'misconduct' [sic] See, Rule of Prof. Conduct, 8.4(d), in
8 We note that on December 5, 2019, Attorney Maher filed a Petition for Leave to Proceed In Fortna Pauperis for purposes of this appeal; however, fcllowirrg.a'heariag, the Honorable Paula Roscioli denied this Petition.
6 . . ·--- . ----·--- - : " ·----- .· ~. ------~----.c.--------'----
this regard, but rather that such authority -pursuant to Article V, §lO(c) of the Pennsylvania Constitution and Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement 103 and 201 -lies with The Disciplinary Board bf the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania?"
D. "Whether the TrialCourt committed an error of law and/or an abuse of discretion in that even ifthe Trial Court did have subject matter [sic] in this matter regarding the above stated issues, that the Trial Court did not have jurisdiction in that the long dormant custody case should have been previously dismissedpursuant to Pa.R. C .P .1915 .4 [sic] given said inactivity and thus no case of controversy existed at any time while all of these proceedings occurred?"
E. "Whether the Trial Court committed an error of law and/or. an abuse of discretion: in that Maher should not have been excluded from the appeal of this case filed at 2200 EDA2016 given that the Trial Court had no jurisdiction to remove him per Pa.R.A.P. 1701?"
F. "Whetherthe Trial Court committed an error oflaw and/or an abuse of discretion in that no conflict between Maher and the minor child in this case "SM" existed and that the possibilitythat he may need to be called as a witness in either the Relocation (handled by Judge Murray) or PF A (handled by Judge Zito) matters in the Northampton County trial court between.July 13, 2016 arid August 19, 2016 never existed on August 18 given that he. was never called as a witness in either proceeding or that such a conflict only potentially existed vis-a-vis SM's older half-sister, 'VD'?''
G. "Whether the Trial Court committed an error oflaw and/or an abuse of discretion in that Maher should have been permitted to call Dreisbach as a witness at the October 21, 2016 Rule to Show Cause hearing since even if some "attorney client privilege" as alleged by Cook such a privilege is waivable by Dreisbach as the client not raised by Cook essentially as a defense for his negligence in not filing a response to the Superior Court's Rule which constituted malpractice by simply refusing to due [sic] so claiming as Maher pointed out he was being told that neither Cook (who it should be noted also withdraw as counsel for.Dreisbach at this same hearing) nor Attorney Mussehnan (wlao had already ,vithdra.yn) vvor'cgoing to do .ao since Maher . "[sicjknew the most about the issuewhythe appeal should.have been permitted to continue?"
H. "Whether the Trial Court committed an error oflawand/or an abuse of discretion in that Maherwas.never permitted to question Cook before Sletvold summarily dismissed him after only her-questioning of him as to why he failed to file a response creating the need for Maher to file art emergency response to the Superior Court's rule?"
I. "Whether the Trial Court committed an·error of law and/or an abuse of discretion in that at the time Sletvold held Maher in contempt the entire issue was moot in thatthe Superior Court had already long before dismissed Dreisbach's contempt appeal?"
7 ·----- ... · ··--···"-"'-•'•. -------,-.--.·
J. "Whether the Trial Court committed an error oflaw and/or an abuse of discretion in that given that the Northampton County [sic] never served Maher, pursuant to Pa.R. CP. 23 6 with the October 21, 2-016 Order finding him in contempt that his appeal filed on December 5, 2016 was filing [sic] prematurely?"
See Attorney Maher' s "Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal Pursuant to PA
R. A. P .1925 (b)" at~ 4 (A-J);
"Each court is the exclusivejudge of contempts against its process," and on.appeal, the
trial court's finding of contempt will only be reversed wheri there is clearly an abuse-of
discretion. Com. v. Jackson, 532 A.2d 28,.31 (Pa. Super. 1987). Therefore, when reviewing a
contempt conviction)' much reliance is given to the discretion of'the trialjudge. Com. v. Worthy,
512 A.2d 39, 40 (Pa. Super; 1986). Unless the trial court overrides or misapplies the law in
reaching its conclusion or its judgment.is manifestly unreasonable, an appellate court will not
find an abuse ofdiscretion merely for an errorof judgment, Com v. Baker, 564 Pa. 192, 198,
766 A.2d 328,331 (2001).
In this case, Attorney Maher appears to raise ten issues on appeal; however we primarily
note that these issues are largely incomprehensible. Nevertheless, we will attempt to address
each of the issues to a degree permitted by our understanding of them. We also note that with
respect to Attorney Maher' s first three issues, he raised the same three statements of error in his
Concise Statement cl Matters Complained of on Appeal, filed on August 10, 2016.9
We address each of Attorney Maher's issues in tum.
9 This Statement of Matters was made by Attorney Maher with respect to his appeal of our Order finding him in contempt for deliberately neglecting: a scheduled court appearance on April 29, 2 016. The appeal pertaining to that matter is currently pending before the Superior Court
..... _ .,A- . -· ·-·---· -··-·· . ·------·-·--------------·· ···---------·· . ------·- ---·---·----------- -·-.··--.------. - -··-
A. Whether this Court had Subject Matter' Jurisdii;tion to Find Attorney Maher in Contempt
Contrary to Attorney Maher's contention that we had 110 authority to find him in
contempt pursuant to Article V of the Pennsylvania Constitution, we submit that a trial court
judge's contempt power flows inherently from historical common law and from the judicial
power granted by the Pennsylvania Constitution .. It is well-settled that "[cjourts possess an
inherent power to enforce their orders by way of the power of contempt." Dep't of Envtl. Prof. v.
Cromwell Twp., Huntingdon Cnty., 613 Pa. 1, 32 A.3d 639, 653 (201 I) (citations omitted). This
power is derived from "a right inherent in courts and is incidental to the grant ofjudicial power
under Article 5 of our Constitution," Com. v. Mc1vfullen, 599 Pa. 435, 961 A.2d 842 (2008)
(emphasis added). Further, we point out thatalthough the Crimes Code abolished commonlaw
crimes (See 18 Pa.C.S .. §107(b)),. it also provided in its preliminary provisions that"[t]his section
does not affect the power ofa court to .~. punish for contempt or to employ any sanction
authorized by law for the enforcement of an order. .. " See 18 Pa.C.S. §107(c).
This inherent power ofa trial judge to enforce orders specifically includes the power to
impose summary findings ofcriminal contempt, punishing willful .misconduct that obstructs the
administration ofjustice, Com. v. Garrison, 478 Pa. J56, 365,386 A.2d 971, 975 (1978).10
Nevertheless, in seeking to regulate the manner of the exercise of the power of summary
contempt, the legislature restricted the imposition of summary punishments for contempts of
(1) The official misconduct ofthe officers of such courts respectively. (2) Disobedience or neglect by officers, parties, jurors or Witnesses ofor to the lawful process. of the court. (3) The misbehavior of any person in the presence ofthe court thereby
10 W¢ note that the term "misconduct" simply refers to"behaviorthatis inappropriate to the role of the actor." Hlmes.v. Himes, 833 A.2d 1124 (Pa. Super. 2003).
9 ., .........
obstructing the admirtistration.of'justice.
In this matter, we imposed a summary punishment for contempt because we found that
Attorney Maher deliberately took actionin direct defiance of a clear Order of Court, without a
legitimate excuse. Deliberate disobedience of a court Order, if established, falls within the
purview of the prohibition set forth under subsection two of 42 Pa.C:.S.A. §4132. 11 Given the foregoing, Attorney Maher's first issue lacks merit. It is without question that
this Court possessed the inherent power to find Attorney Maher in contempt for deliberately violating a clear Order of Court which directed him to refrain fromrepresentingMs. Dreisbach
in any matters captioned under tria] court docketnumber C-48-CV -:-5404~2015.
B. Whether Attorney Maher's Prucedural Due Process Rights Were Violated
Contempt may be of a civil or criminal nature. This distinction between a civil and
criminal contempt is crucial because the classification determines what procedural rights are
conferred. Cont v. Ashton, 824 A2d 1198, 1202 (Pa. Super 2003). "The distinction between
criminal and civil contempt is ... a distinction between two permissible judicial responses to
contumacious behavior. These judicial responses are classified according to the dominant
purpose ofthe court;" Com v. Gri}jzths, 15 A.3d 73,7T(Pa. Super. 2010). Iti s the judge's
purpose in crafting the contempt order that determines whether the Order is characterized as civil
or criminal contempt. The purpose of criminal contempt is to vindicate the Court's authority,
and therefore, to. punish the contemnor for his actions; the contemnor, unlike with civil contempt,
is powerless to escape sanctioning by compliance. See Ingebrethsen v, Ingebrethsen, 661 A.2d
403, 405 (Pa. Super .. 1995).
11 Under42 Pa.C.S . A. § 4132(2), courts are permitted to use their direct contempt power topunish "disobedience or neglect" of a court's "lawful process." Courts have interpreted this provision to mean that judges have the power to compel compliance with their formal orders. Seel4 West's Pa, Prac.i.Crirn. Offenses & Defenses § 2:93 (6th ed.).
10 ---~-----------·--·-------·- .. ·.·
·- As discussed supra, we intended to make, and.did make, an adjudication of criminal
contempt that falls within the purview of42 Pa.C.S.A. §4132 (2). We did so to admonish
Attorney Maher and to vindicate the authority of the Court. This was not a situation where
Attorney Maher could remedy his misconduct by compliance. Summary action permits the court
to eliminate traditional steps involved in an adjudication, including all that goes with a
conventional court trial such as "the issuance of process, service of complaint and answer, holding of hearings, taking evidence, listening to arguments, awaiting briefs, [and] submission of
findings:' See Sacher v. United.States, 343 U.S. 1, 9; 72 S.Ct. 451, 455, 96 L.Ed. 717, 724
(1952). However, we acknowledge that the contemnor must be .given an opportunity to rebut the
charges. Cont v. Pruitt, 764 A.2d 569, 576 (Pa. Super. 2000). In the case sub judice, Attorney Maher was afforded procedural safeguards. Be was given notice that a charge of contempt was being considered by the Court, and he was afforded
an opportunity to be heard ..
Specifically, we issued a Rule to Show Cause on Attorney Maher on September 29,2016,
and Attorney Maher responded to the Rule Returnable on October 21, 2016 when he appeared
for a hearing regarding why he should not be held in contempt for authoring a response to the
Superior Court and filing same on behalf of Ms. Dreisbach when he was under a clear Order of
Court prohibiting him from taking any further action asMs, Dreisbach' s counsel in that matter.
Attorney Maher was given ail. unrestrained opportunity to he heard on October 21, 2016 which is
abundantly clear in the transcript of testimony that has been made part of the record. 12
12 Wefurthet discuss AttorneyMaher's opportunity to be heard in section H below wherein we address Attorney Maher's allegation thathe was "summarily dismissed" after our questioning of.Attorney Cook at the October 2l, 20'16 contempt hearing,
- ..·-----·-·--·· ··----·-·-----·---·------- --·- . '. • '. - • _' ----··. _''. - . . -• •. ---- • ~-·~-·•-••n -•• • ''""•··-• ,_.,., ... _,_••
C. ·whether Attorney Mahers Substantive Hue Process Rights WereViolated
As discussed, we found Attorney Maher to be in criminal contempt pursuant to 42
Pa.CS.A. §4132 (2}. The appellate courts of'this Commonwealth have interpreted this Section
as requiring the following four elements to support a finding of criminal contempt for
(i) The [court's] order or decree mustbe definite, clear, specific and leave no doubt or uncertainty in, the mind of the person to whom it was addressed ofthe conduct prohibited; (2) · The conternnor must have had notice of the specific order or decree; (3) The act.constituting the violation must have been volitional; and (4) The contemnor must have acted with wrongful intent.
Com. v. Zacher, 689 A.2d 267, 268-,69 (Pa. Super.1997) (citations omitted). Further, in order to
prove contempt, the evidence mustsupport that the alleged contemptuous act was "intentional
disobedience or an intentional neglect of the Iawfui process ofthe court," Pruitt, 764 A.2d at
574 (citation omitted). Our Superior Court has held that in order to prove that an attorney acted
intentionally, it is sufficient to demonstrate that they acted with.reckless disregard. McCusker v.
Mccusker, 631 A.2d 645 (Pa. Super. 1993) .. A subjective intent to obstruct the administration of
justice is not a requisite of criminal contempt Cont v. Owens, 496 Pa. 16, 24, 436 A.2d 129;
The first element requires that an officer of the Court clearly and withouta doubt knew
that which he was required or prohibited by the Court to do. The evidence here shows that
Attorney Maher.knew, without a doubt, of the. underlying Order directing him to cease any
further representation on behalf ofMs, Dreisbach in her matters docketed at trial court number
C-48-CV~5404-2015. As noted supra, the colloquy placed onthe record at the July 22, 2016
hearing made abundantly clear that Attorney Maher was to cease his representation of Ms.
Dreisbach. See N.T. (7/22/16) at pp. 17-18.
12 .. .•. -. . -.~,--- --------~-----·--. ,.. ' ... ,.. ···-- ·-·· ··--··--·--· - ........ ......
Attorney Maher indicated that he understood the underlying Order. It is also cleat that
Attorney Maher had notice of this specific Order, which satisfies the second element above.
The third element focuses on whether Attorney Maher' s violation was volitional.
Attorney Maher made a: deliberate choice to author a document and file same in fhe Superior
Court in bold defiance of our Order. There is no question.thatAttorney Maher's Superior Court
filing was not. one made by mistake. In fact, Attorney Maher intentionally misrepresented facts to the Superior Court about whyhe was the attorney making the filing on Ms. Dreisbach 's behalf.
Finally, the third element regarding volition goes hand-in-hand with the fourth element
which addresses whether the contemnor acted with wrongful intent, "The minimum intent
required to prove contempt is 'a volitionalact done by one who knows or Should reasonably be
aware that his conduct is wrongful.' .~·· However, ... direct (as well as subjective) intent is not
necessary where a reckless disregard for the directions of the court can be proven," JyfcCusker,
631 A.2d at 648-649 (1993) (internal citations omitted), For the reasons stated above, including
Attorney Mahei-is admission ofmaking false statements in his August 31, 2016 Superior Court
filing, we submit that this filing was made volitionally in an attempt to bypass our Order of July
22, 2016. Thus, Attorriey Maherrs behavior was such thathe acted with reckless disregard as
well as wrongful intent. 13
D; Whether this CourtHad Proper Jllrisdiction to Hold Attorney Maher In Contempt ·
In this Statement ofError,_it appears that Attorney Maher contends that we did not have
jurisdicdon.to hold him in contempt on October 21, 2016 because Ms.Dreisbach's custody
13;The willfulness of Attorney Maher's conduct in this instance is further demonstrated by his continuing course of conductin failing to comply with court directives, We have previously outlined this course of conduct in our MemorandumOpinion pursuantto P~.RAP.1925(a) filed onAugusf3 I, 2016. ------- .-·--·,·
'\..:....:_.... ·
matter, bearing docket num"berC-'48-CV-2015-5404,was dormant pursuant to Pa.R,.c . P,
l915A.14
In response to this issue raised by Attorney Maher, we point out that during the July 22,
2016 conference at which we issued the underlying Order prohibiting Attorney Maher from any
furtherrepresentation of Ms. Dreisbach, not once did Attorney Maher indicate a belief that Ms.
Dreisbach's custody case was "dormant" or in any in violation ofRule 1915.4/5 Moreover! this issue is waived because it concerns the merits of the underlying July 22, 2016 Order wherein this
Court ruled that Attorney Maherwas prohibited from representing Mrs. Dreisbach in any matters docketed in the trial court at C-48~CV-5404-20J 5, which includes the above-referenced custody
matter. Attorney Maher did not appeal that Order, and as .such, the Order became final. Because Attorney Maher was under a final Order pursuant to which he was not to
represent Mrs. Dreisbach any further in the aforementioned matters, his filing of August 31,
2016 was.in direct violation of this Court's clear Order of July 22, 2016. Therefore, a finding of
contempt was warranted. Any jurisdictional issue Attorney Maher may have had with the July
22, 2016 underlying Order is waived as a result of his failure to appeal same.
i4 This Rule of Procedure is entitled, "Prompt Disposition of Custody Cases," 15 Additionally, while it is irrelevant for pµrposes of this appeal, it i:i unclear to t)J.i5 Court what Attorney Maher means when he refers to Ms. Dreisbach''s custadymatter as "the long dormant custody case." The Complaint in Custody was filed inJune of2015, however.the docket will reflect that Ms. Dreisbach has sincebeen availing herselftothe processes of this Court's custody system. There have been various conferences with our Custody Master, and mu1tiple custody Orders have been put in place since the filing of the Complaint. Moreover; as discussed above, Ms, Dreisbach, through Attorney Maher, filed a Notice of'Relocation on July l3, 2016, which would have directly impacted the pending custody matter. Judge Murray denied Ms. Dreisbach's request for relocationand Ms. Dreisbach ultimately eppealed this denial, extending the protracted status of the telocation matter; and thereforecthe custodymatter. Importantly, on September 1,5, 2016, Judge Murray, who is the Judge handling.Ms, Dreisbach' s custody and relocation matters, issued an Order that states in relevant part as follows: "Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure l915A (D), it is hereby ordered and decreed that this Court has extended the. date for a.decision to OctoberB'l, 2016 .... As a result of the length of'the proceedings, this extension is being.made for good cause." On Novettiber23, 2016, Ms. Dreisbach filed a motion to dismiss the custody proceeding, and Judge Murray denied same on Decem ber 13, 2016. Ms. Dreisbach has also appealed this Order issued by Judge Murray, and we understand that this.appeal is currently pending beforethe Superior Court.
14 ·E. Whether this Court Had Jurisdiction to Exclude Attorney Maherfrom the Appeal Filed at "2200 EDA 2016" 16
Attorney Maher's argument on this point is premised on Pa.R.A.P. 1701, which provides
that "after an appeal is taken •.. the trial court or other government unit may no longer proceed
further in the matter." However; we primarily submit.thatthis issue is waived because Attorney
Maher did not appeal our Order ofJuly 22, 2016 with regard to a lack of jurisdiction. Even if
this issue is not deemed waived for purposes of this appeal, we point out that Rule 1701 further
provides in subsection (c) the following:
(c) Limited to matters in dispute.e-Where only a particular item, claim or assessment adjudged in the matter is 'involved in an appeal .... , the appeal ... shall operate to prevent the trial court or other government unit from proceeding further with only such item, claim or assessment, unless otherwise ordered by the trial court or other government unit or by the appellate court or ajudge thereof as necessary to preserve the rights of the appellant,
Since the question presented in Ms, Dreisbach's appeal, docketed at 2202 EDA 2016,
which was pending at the time this Court. directed Attorney Cook to proceed as counsel for Ms.
Dreisbach, related only. to Ms. Dreisbach' s contempt, it did not prevent this Court from
considering whether Mr. Maher had a conflict ofinterest that precluded him from. representing
Ms .. Dreisbach further. In other words, the Order challenged in Ms -. Dreisbach' spending appeal
was neither relevant to nor at issue to whether. Attorney Maher had a oorrfl.iot in icprcscnting Ms.
Dreisbach further. See In re Griffin, 690A.2d1192, 1199 (Pa. Super. 1997).
· F. Whether this Court Committed an Error of Law and/or Abuse of Discretion in Finding that Att<,rneyMaher Had a Conflict of Interest in Representing Ms. Dreisbach
This statement of matters complained of on appeal is waived because it concerns the
merits of the underlying July 22, 2016 Order wherein this Court ruled that Attorney Maher was
16 No matter pertaining to these parties has been docketed at 2200 EDA 20J 6. We note that.the appeal pertaining to the Order finding Ms. Dreisbach in contempt, which was ultimately quashed by the Superior Court, and to which we assume Mr. Maherrefers herein was docketed at2202 EDA 20l6.
15 . - '···-. •-N·-·· ·~- • -· -·· ·,··--~ . . ·-------- ... ~----•••••-••'•••~··••-""••••,-•••••••
.,.__.
prohibited from representing Mrs. Dreisbach in arty matters docketed in the trial court at C~48-
CV-5404-2015. As we discussed supra; Attorney Maher did not appeal that Order; and as such,
the Order became final. Importantly, we point out that the underlying Order ofJuly 22, 2016 did
not contain any conditions or time constraints pursuant to which Attomey Maher could have
resumed bis representation of Ms. Dreisbach with respectto matters under docket number C-48-
CV-2015-5404. Due to a clear conflict ofinterest which was noted by Judge Murray as well as
Ms. Dreisbach, our Order simply-and clearly directedAttorney Maherto engage in no further
activity in the trial court or in the Superior Court on behalf ofMs. Dreisbach in matters under
docket C-48-CV-2015-5404.
Simply put, Attorney Maher was under a final Order pursuant to which he was not to represent Mrs. Dreisbach any further in the aforementioned matters. Accordingly, his filing of
August31, 2016 was in directviolation of this Court's clear Order of July 22,2016, and
therefore, afinding of contempt was warranted. Any issue Attorney Maher may have had with
'themerits of the July 22, 2016 underlying Orderis waived as a result of his failure to appeal
same.
G. Wile th er this· Court Committed ah Error of Law and/or Abuse of Discretion in Prohibiting Attorney Maher from Calling Ms. Dreisbach as a Witness in Attorney Maher9.s Contempt Uearing of October 21, 2016
At his October21,2016 contempt hearing, Attorney Maher did not provide a compelling
reason to call Ms. Dreisbach as a witness when.such testimony had the potentialto expose Ms.
Dreisbach to substantial risk, including waiving her attorney client privilege with Attorney Cook.
We emphasize herein, as we did during the October2l,2016 hearing, that Ms: Dreisbach is a
partyto this Courtin matters of the utmost importance to her involving her family. As such,it
would have been entirel y inappropriate for Attorney Maher to elicit testimony from her to defend
16 ~-:. . .-----~·
his violation of a court Order. This is especially so when Attorney Maher had already admitted
to the Court that his proscribed filing of August 31, 2016 to the Superior Court was supported by
falsities. Any purpose Attorney Maher had with regard to Ms. Dreisbach' s testimony would be
inconsequential.
M~, Dreisbach, with her testimony, would not be able to ameliorate Attorney Maher's
direct violation of our Order or any reasons Attorney Maher may have had had for violating Dur Order. As stated in our discussion supra, this is a matter involving criminal contempt, and this
was not a situation where Attorney Maher conldhave remedied his misconduct by compliance, resolution, orotherwise. Therefore, at most, Attorney Maher could have elicited whether Ms.
Dreisbach specifically asked him to filea response to the Superior Court; however; Ms.
Dreisbach is not vested with the power to overrule an Order of the trial Court. Thus, .no
·compelling reason for Ms. Dreisbach's testimony was offered by Attorney Maher at his contempt
hearing which would havejustified the substantial risk of detrimenrto Ms. Dreisbach in the
JI. Whether this Court "summarfly dismissed" Attorney Maher "afteronly her questioningof him"'Duringthe ContemptHearing of October21, 2016
During the October 21,2016 contempthearing, the Court made a record of the events that had transpired leading up to the issuance of the September 29, 2016 Rule to Show Cause.
Thereafter, we tookAttorney Cook's testimony with respect to the Rule issued upon him. The
overwhelming remainder of.the October 21, 2016 contempt hearing, however, was dedicated to
Attorney Maher'stestimonyregarding his position. See Notes of Testimony (N.T.), 10/21/16, at
pp. ll-23. Infact: the majority of this entire hearing was dedicated to Attorney Maher's
testimony. As we discussed above, Attorney Maher had ample opportunity to be heard, and the
transcript speaks for itselfin this matter.
17 -· ·. - .. · . . . ·_ .. · ..... ·- ..,,_,_. _ _.__ .. .. ----- . -·---- ..-· ··-········--·-·--·--····
Additionally, near the conclusion of this hearing, the Court gave all counsel the
opportunity to state anything else that they may have for the record. Id. at p. 24 .. Attorney
Maher used this opportunity to discuss his belief as to when Attorney Cook may have filed a
concise statement of matters complained or on appeal on behalfofMs. Dreisbach in her appeal. i7
Id. at.pp, 24-25.
This additional comment by Attorney Maher had nothing to do with his contempt at issue
and/or withthe ultimate untimeliness of Ms. Dreisbach's appeal which, in his mind, would have
somehow necessitated his involvement on her behalf such that defiance ofa court Order was
appropriate. Attorney Maher offered nothing further during his contempt hearing. However, he
was in no way impeded from doing same.
I. Whether "the entire is-sue was moot" at the. Time this Court Held Maher in Contempt
Inthis Statement of'Error, AttorneyMaher seems to argue that because the Superior
Court quashed Ms. Dreisbach' s appeal with respect to our Order finding her in contempt.this
Court did not have the authority to find Attorney Maher in contempt of the July 22, 2016 Order
which he violated while Ms. Dreisbch's appeal was still pending. This issue is entirely without
merit.
The Order that was challenged in Ms. Dreisbach's quashed appeal is neither relevant to
nor at issue in the instant contempt proceeding againstAttorney Maher. It isAttorney Maher's
very involvement .in the quashed appeal that is the issue, not the result of his involvement.
Therefore, this statement of error should be dismissed as meritless,
17 When the Courtinitially outlined the procedural background of the case during the October 21, 2016 hearing, the Court misstated the date on which Attorney Cook filed the concise statement of matters complained of on appeal on Ms. Dreisbach' s behalf. The Court indicated th~t Attorney Cook filed same .on July 11, 2016.,when,in fact, he filed it on August 1, 20t6. +-, 18
,. ... ···-·-----·----"--··-----------· . :-----·- . . .' - .. -· .. ··.
J. "Wb.etherthe 'I'rial ·Courtcommittedau error of law and/or an abuse of discretion in that given that-theNorthampton County [sic] never served Maher, pursuant to ,Pa.R.C.P. 236 with the October 21, 2016 Order finding him in contemptthat his appealfiled on December 5, 2()16 was filingjslc] prematurely?"
This statement of error is confusing and incomprehensible. Therefore, we cannot
properlyaddress same. To the extent Attorney Maher disputes the timeliness of his own appeal,
we submit that this Court never raised untimeliness as an issue with respect to the instant appeal.
Asthe docket reflects, AttorneyMaher filed his Notice of Appeal in this matter on December 5,
2016. We subsequently issued an Order pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. J925(b) on December 13, 2016
directing Attorney Maher to file a concise statement of the errors complained of on appeal Within
twe.ntyworte(21) days. . .. Thereafter, Attorney Maher filed his Concise Statement of Matters 18 Complained of on Appeal on January 4, 2017.
18 Notably; however, Attorney Maher was made aware> in person, of this Court's finding of contempt atthe October 2f, 2016 hearing; yethe did not file a Notice of Appeal with respect to this finding until December 5, 2016.
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