Damariscotta attorney Peter Drum addresses a Newcastle town meeting in May 2024. On March 24, the Maine Law Court temporarily suspended Drum from practicing law, ruling evidence supports a finding of multiple violations of the Maine Rules for Professional Conduct. (LCN/file photo)
Prominent Damariscotta attorney Peter Drum has been suspended from his practice following a complaint lodged by the Board of Overseers of the Bar.
On Tuesday, March 24, the Maine Supreme Court issued an immediate interim suspension of Drum’s ability to practice law in the state of Maine. In its filing, the court determined the counsel for the Board of Overseers of the Bar had supplied enough evidence to support the finding that Drum had committed multiple violations of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct.
In addition to four separate citations for misconduct, specific citations in the filing refers to rules regarding the representation of a client with diminished capacity, the failure to appropriately disclose information or knowingly failing to respond to a lawful request for information.
Effective immediately, the court ordered Drum to vacate his office(s), surrender possession and control of all client files, his keys to his law office, including any locked facilities off premises, all banking information related to his practice and his clients, all computer and mobile devices utilized by Drum in his practice and all relevant passwords and login information.
According to the filing, Drum is expressly forbidden from leaving the state until he complies with the court’s order.
In a separate filing the same day, the court appointed the Overseer of the Bar Specials Counsel Mara King as the receiver for Drum’s law practice. As such, King is authorized to take possession and secure all of Drum’s professional files and was given sole signatory authority over Drum’s practice and bank accounts.
As receiver, King is authorized to hire or retain staff to help wind down Drum’s practice as needed and as funds permit and to assist Drum’s existing clients with finding new counsel.
A Damariscotta native, Drum founded his practice in Damariscotta after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2005. According to his LinkedIn page, Drum’s practice has primarily focused on municipal law, litigation, government relations, and real estate.
Drum is also the municipal attorney for the towns of Bremen and Newcastle.
Newcastle Select Board Chair Tor Glendinning said town officials were aware of Drum’s suspension but have not met since the court filing. The board’s next meeting is Monday, April 13. Glendinning said he plans to add an executive session to the agenda for the express purpose of discussing the issue the issue.
The board meets in the community room of the Clayton V. Huntley fire station at 86 River Road beginning at 6 p.m.
Attempts to reach Drum before press time were unsuccessful.
