The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has suspended attorney Nury A. Turkel for 30 days and placed him on probation for one year due to professional misconduct. The court issued its ruling on August 20, 2026, in case number 25-BG-1013. This decision impacts Turkel's ability to practice law in the District of Columbia and highlights the importance of maintaining ethical standards in legal representation.

The court found that Turkel failed to provide competent representation to a client seeking asylum. His actions included not acting with reasonable promptness, failing to keep the client informed, and not maintaining complete financial records. As a result, the court deemed it necessary to impose a disciplinary action to ensure accountability.

Background

Nury A. Turkel is a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia, with Bar Registration No. 978639. The disciplinary case arose from a report and recommendation by the Board on Professional Responsibility Ad Hoc Hearing Committee. This committee reviewed Turkel's handling of an asylum case and concluded that he had not met the professional standards expected of attorneys.

The dispute began when a client filed a complaint against Turkel, alleging that he did not provide adequate legal services. The complaint led to an investigation by the Disciplinary Counsel, which found multiple violations of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct. These violations included a lack of diligence, failure to communicate effectively with the client, and inadequate record-keeping practices.

The Ruling

The court ruled that Turkel's actions constituted serious breaches of professional conduct. The opinion stated, "Respondent admits that, as a result, he violated D.C. R. Pro. Conduct 1.1(a)-(b), 1.3(a) & (c), 1.4(a)-(b), 1.15(a), and 1.16(d)." The court agreed with the Hearing Committee's recommendation for negotiated discipline, which included a thirty-day suspension that is stayed, meaning Turkel will not serve the suspension unless he violates the terms of his probation.

Judge McLeese and Judge Shanker agreed with the ruling, while Senior Judge Glickman dissented, arguing that the proposed discipline was too lenient. The court emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards for legal representation and ensuring that attorneys are held accountable for their actions.

Impact

This ruling serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that attorneys have toward their clients. It underscores the necessity for lawyers to provide competent and diligent representation. The decision may also influence how future cases of professional misconduct are handled, as it sets a standard for negotiated discipline in similar situations.

Turkel's probation includes specific conditions he must meet, such as completing continuing legal education in areas related to trust accounts and immigration law. This requirement aims to ensure that he improves his practice and adheres to ethical standards moving forward. If he fails to comply with these conditions, Disciplinary Counsel can move to revoke his probation.

What's Next

Turkel has the option to appeal the court's decision, but details were not available in the court filing regarding whether he plans to do so. There are no related cases pending that were mentioned in the ruling. The outcome of this case will likely be monitored by other legal professionals and organizations concerned with attorney conduct.