About Brian Martin
Brian Martin Kurtyka was a business attorney based in Hagerstown, Maryland. He was admitted to the Maryland State Bar in 1991, starting a career that spanned over two decades. His practice areas included business law, estate planning, probate, real estate law, and collections. Kurtyka operated his firm, Kurtyka & Associates, LLC, from 201 Prospect Avenue, Suite 122, Hagerstown, MD 21742, where he provided legal services to clients. In January 2024, Kurtyka faced serious legal troubles when he pled guilty to two counts of embezzlement and one count of forgery of private documents in the Washington County Circuit Court.
The charges stemmed from his misuse of client funds and fraudulent activities that undermined the trust placed in him as an attorney. Following his guilty plea, he received a sentence of 15 years in prison, with all but five years suspended. Additionally, Kurtyka was placed on five years of supervised probation and ordered to pay restitution amounting to $672,354.51, reflecting the financial impact of his actions on his clients and the legal community. The ramifications of his criminal convictions extended beyond the courtroom. In February 2024, the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland initiated a disciplinary action against Kurtyka, alleging violations of the Maryland Rules of Professional Conduct.
This action highlighted the ethical breaches that accompanied his criminal behavior. By March 2024, Kurtyka took a significant step by jointly petitioning for disbarment with the bar counsel, acknowledging his misconduct and the consequences it brought to his legal career. The Supreme Court of Maryland responded promptly, granting the disbarment petition effective immediately. His name was removed from the register of attorneys, marking a definitive end to his legal practice in Maryland. Following this disbarment, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals also suspended Kurtyka from practicing law in the District on an interim basis in August 2024.
This suspension was reciprocal, a direct result of the disciplinary actions taken in Maryland, further solidifying the impact of his criminal convictions on his professional life. As of February 2026, Brian Martin Kurtyka is no longer authorized to practice law in Maryland or the District of Columbia. His disbarment and suspension serve as a stark reminder of the importance of ethical conduct in the legal profession. Once a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, Kurtyka’s fall from grace illustrates the serious consequences that can arise from legal and ethical violations. His story is a cautionary tale for attorneys and clients alike, emphasizing the critical nature of trust and integrity in the practice of law.
