Case Title: Matter of Templeton

Citation: 492 A.2d 1001, 99 N.J. 365

Docket Number: 

State: new-jersey

Court: New Jersey Supreme Court

Date: 1985-06-06T00:00:00Z

Document:
99 N.J. 365 (1985) 492 A.2d 1001 IN THE MATTER OF FURMAN L. TEMPLETON, JR., AN ATTORNEY AT LAW. The Supreme Court of New Jersey. Argued December 11, 1984. Decided June 6, 1985. *366 Colette A. Coolbaugh, Counsel, argued the cause on behalf of the Disciplinary Review Board. Michael Critchley argued the cause for respondent (Critchley & Roche, attorneys). PER CURIAM. This case arises from a report of the Disciplinary Review Board (DRB or Board) recommending a five-year suspension for multiple instances of misconduct by respondent. The matter came before the Board upon a presentment filed by the District V Ethics Committee (Committee). The presentment included complaints filed by eleven former clients against respondent pertaining to a continuing course of misconduct over a prolonged period. The misconduct encompassed a pattern of neglect of clients, failure properly to represent clients, and failure to communicate with them concerning the status of their cases. The presentment also asserted the failure of respondent to answer or otherwise respond to these complaints, as well as his failure to cooperate with the former Division of Ethics and Professional Services (Division). The Committee found that respondent was guilty of the charges contained in the presentment. The Committee concluded that respondent had violated DR 1-102(A)(6) in that he engaged in conduct that adversely reflected on his fitness to practice law. The Committee also found that respondent had *367 violated Rule 1:21-6 by failing to maintain adequate records of his trust account. It further determined that he failed to answer some of the complaints filed against him, and as to other complaints, failed to answer within the time prescribed. The Committee recommended that respondent's temporary suspension should continue until such time as he made application for reinstatement, and at that time respondent should submit to a psychiatric examination to determine whether he is suffering from any problem that would prevent him from properly representing clients. Upon a review of the full record, the DRB concluded there was clear and convincing evidence demonstrating respondent's guilt of unethical conduct. As noted, it recommended a five-year suspension subject to certain conditions. We have independently reviewed the record in this case and reach substantially the same conclusion. Most of the complaints against respondent disclose a pattern of neglect of his clients' legal problems. Some of the complaints against respondent demonstrate a professional neglect of the legal affairs of his clients that reflected a disregard of their welfare: Other complaints reflect not only professional neglect, but resulted in the improper refusal to return unearned retainers: *369 Other instances of neglect by respondent of clients' legal matters resulted in legal injury to his clients: A further example of neglect and poor communications with clients is the complaint of Phillips. Respondent was retained by members of the Phillips family to assist in a post-conviction relief application for two brothers who were serving sentences at the Rahway Correctional Facility. Respondent, however, did not meet with the two brothers until after family members complained about the way he was handling the case. When, four months after being retained, respondent met with them, he stated that he had to research their prior criminal proceedings and promised to return within two weeks and advise them. Following a complaint to the Committee, respondent claimed that there was a disagreement over the terms of the retainer, and, further, that he had invested considerable time in advising his clients. Respondent also became involved in personal matters that reflected adversely on his general character and fitness: The DRB concluded that respondent failed to carry out contracts of employment, DR 7-101(A)(2), and misrepresented the status of cases to clients, DR 1-102(A)(4). Respondent's conduct also violated DR 6-101 in that he exhibited a "pattern of negligence or neglect in his handling of legal matters." The DRB also emphasized respondent's failure to cooperate with the Committee investigating the complaints against him in that he refused to appear and testify at the formal hearings. The DRB further stressed that a complaint filed by the Division alleged that respondent failed to file answers to numerous ethics complaints, including the Lynn, Magna Company, Hoffman, Dunn, Minor, and Kirk matters, as well as another complaint by a person named Ingram. The Division's own complaints served on the respondent also went unanswered. In addition, the Committee, while dismissing on the merits a complaint of alleged verbal abuse by respondent with respect to one Edith Gluck, observed in that matter the continuing pattern of respondent's failure to cooperate with the Committee. The DRB noted particularly that the Division had also filed a complaint detailing respondent's failure to cooperate with an audit of his attorney's books and records. When respondent finally met with an auditor for the Division, he did not produce any records at that time, claiming he could not obtain the records because of a landlord-tenant dispute that locked him out of his office. He promised to deliver them to Trenton, but did not keep this promise. When respondent met again with an auditor, he admitted that his books and records were not maintained in compliance with Rule 1:21-6. He produced some noncurrent trust and operating account records. At another meeting respondent arrived late and did not produce any further *372 books or records. Respondent never fully complied with the demand for his books and records. As a result of respondent's failure to cooperate with the audit of his account, he was temporarily suspended from the practice of law on July 28, 1980, and the temporary suspension has remained in effect throughout these proceedings. Respondent has essentially conceded the eleven instances of misconduct. He also acknowledges his failure to respond suitably to the complaints that were filed against him and to cooperate with the Division in these proceedings. We must now evaluate the gravity of respondent's ethical transgression to assess appropriate discipline. Respondent sought to excuse his misconduct because of his relative inexperience and the pressures of being a sole practitioner. Respondent had been admitted to the Bar in 1966 and held various governmental positions. His professional derelictions surfaced in 1975, about one year after he entered the practice of law as a sole practitioner. The DRB found, however, that the pressure of business cannot be permitted to diminish an attorney's responsibility to his client. We agree with the DRB that respondent did not "measure up to the high standards of responsibility required of every member of the profession." Further, respondent cannot claim to have been so inexperienced in 1975 as to be unable to understand the ethical ramifications of his conduct. Moreover, the ethical violations did not occur suddenly or in isolation. Consequently the wholesale breach of professional ethics cannot be attributed only or primarily to a lack of experience or professional naivete. Respondent also has maintained that he sought no advantage from his misrepresentations. However, in several instances he kept retainers that he had not earned. The record discloses, without further elaboration, that the Clients' Security Fund has *373 reimbursed $9,150 to six former clients of respondent, refunding wholly unearned retainers. Furthermore, while respondent may not have sought any significant personal gain from his mishandling of clients' matters, several of his clients suffered legal detriment and financial losses as a result of his derelictions. There was harm even in the absence of personal gain by respondent, evidenced in part by the substantial civil judgments based on malpractice obtained against respondent by former clients. Thus, the resulting financial and legal hardships inflicted on several of respondent's clients cannot be minimized. In addition, respondent displayed an indifference to the justice system in his failure to confront the ethics charges when complaints were filed and in his lack of cooperation in the investigations and hearings. His failure to file any, or timely, answers is a further reflection of an attitude that is inconsistent with the professional obligations of an ethical attorney. In this vein, the DRB found even more disturbing respondent's lack of cooperation with the Division. As noted, he was requested to produce his books and records. Initially, he did not produce them, but finally produced some noncurrent and inadequate records. The DRB apparently believed that respondent's ethical failures were extremely serious. It drew a parallel between respondent and the respondent in In re Netchert, 78 N.J. 445 (1979), from which it quoted the following: In all disciplinary cases, we have felt constrained as a matter of fairness to the public, to the charged attorney, and to the justice system, to search diligently for some credible reason other than professional and personal immorality that could *374 serve to explain, and perhaps extenuate, egregious misconduct. We have always permitted a charged attorney to show, if at all possible, that the root of the transgressions is not intractable dishonesty, venality, immorality, or incompetence. We generally acknowledge the possibility that the determinative cause of wrongdoing might be some mental, emotional, or psychological state or medical condition that is not obvious and, if present, could be corrected through treatment. An inquiry into such possible causes of ethical misconduct not only can be instructive and enlightening, it may also hold the promise of a resolution of the disciplinary charges in terms of personal rehabilitation, which will serve to protect the public interest without ruining a lawyer's career and life. To that end, in this case the DRB ordered an independent psychiatric evaluation of respondent. The psychiatric evaluation does not provide us with a plausible explanation for respondent's transgressions. The psychiatrist concluded that respondent was presently competent and that "no disabling psychoneurosis currently exists." However, as noted by the DRB, there is a paucity of information in the report about the state of respondent's mental health during the several years that respondent engaged in misconduct. Indeed, his two interviews with the DRB-appointed psychiatrist failed to illuminate the area, a failure that, according to DRB, must be attributed primarily to the attitude of respondent. Moreover, the psychiatric defense offered by respondent did not seek to demonstrate "that respondent suffered a loss of competency, comprehension or will of a magnitude that could excuse egregious misconduct that was clearly knowing, volitional and purposeful." In re Jacob, 95 N.J. 132, 137 (1984). We seek through appropriate discipline to protect the public from the attorney who does not and cannot meet the standards of responsibility of every member of the profession. In re Goldstaub, 90 N.J. 1, 5 (1982). As noted, the Board here recommended that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a period of five years retroactive to the date of his continued temporary suspension on September 9, 1980. It was *375 persuaded that the mitigating factors called for discipline less than disbarment. It mentioned that (1) no new complaints have been filed against respondent either with the Committee or the Clients' Security Fund; (2) respondent had no prior ethical problems until this series of complaints were filed; (3) his career as an attorney in public service was honorable and he had a good reputation; (4) respondent is remorseful and has admitted to the Board that his conduct transgressed the rules; (5) although the Clients' Security Fund has paid money to clients on his behalf, the awards were based upon his total failure to carry out his contracts of employment rather than intentional misappropriation of trust funds; (6) while it is clearly unethical for a lawyer to accept retainers under circumstances "such that the services for which fees were advanced will not be performed by him," the conduct in this case does not equate to intentional misappropriation, (citing In re Stern, 92 N.J. 611, 619 (1983)); respondent's actions were not willfully deceitful or fraudulent; (7) despite his failure to produce adequate books and records, no evidence of misappropriation of client trust monies has ever arisen in this matter; (8) respondent has complied with his temporary suspension for the four years preceding the DRB hearing and has not practiced law; and (9) the misconduct occurred during the period when respondent attempted for the first time to engage in private practice. We are not particularly impressed by the circumstances that respondent was just entering into the private practice of law and that he is now remorseful, particularly in light of his earlier admission to the bar, the prolonged pattern of misconduct, and the absence of plausible psychiatric or similar explanation for his misconduct. We are only minimally assuaged that respondent honored his suspension and that no new complaints against him have surfaced. Compare In re Goldstein, 97 N.J. 545 (1984). We are relieved that respondent's misconduct did not reach more egregious levels, involving the misappropriation of trust funds or willfully deceitful or fraudulent retention of *376 moneys due clients. Consequently, we do not attribute great weight or significance to these mitigating factors. We must, nevertheless, consider whether in the totality of the circumstances respondent has demonstrated that his ethical deficiencies are intractable and irremediable. In some instances, underlying misconduct itself constitutes irrefutable evidence of a profound lack of professional good character and fitness. E.g. In re Goldstein, supra (inability to discharge professional responsibility and to conform to judicial direction); In re Friedland, 95 N.J. 170 (1984) (conviction for commission of serious crimes); In re Hughes, 90 N.J. 32, 37 (1982) (commission of crimes, such as bribery that undermine the administration of justice); In re Wilson, 81 N.J. 451 (1979) (intentional misappropriation of client's moneys); In re Netchert, supra, (chronic failure to represent clients and to adhere to professional standards). In considering the Board's analysis and reasoning in this case, we remain mindful that the purpose of discipline is not to punish the offender but to protect the public. In this case, we conclude, with some added observations, that a de facto suspension for a five-year period is appropriate to protect the public interest. A suspension of this duration is unusual and, because of its severity, it has been compared to disbarment. See In re Friedland, 92 N.J. 107 (1983); In re Strickland, 87 N.J. 575 (1981). We recognize, however, that it does not accomplish what disbarment does. Disbarment is reserved for the case in which the misconduct of an attorney is so immoral, venal, corrupt or criminal as to destroy totally any vestige of confidence that the individual could ever again practice in conformity with the standards of the profession. Disbarment is a guarantee to the public that the attorney will not return to the profession. With respect to this respondent, the evidence leaves us slightly short of a conviction that the ethical violations mirror an unsalvageable professional character. We are not convinced that respondent's good character and fitness have been permanently *377 or irretrievably lost. We must concede that in these circumstances our conclusion as to the quality of personal and professional fault, and the lack of good character and fitness, as these bear on appropriate discipline, entails a prognostication. It is necessary, therefore, to hedge our determination as to proper discipline by affixing stringent conditions to preserve public confidence and to account for the possibility that we may be misjudging respondent. Accordingly, we require that prior to any readmission to practice, respondent again should be evaluated psychiatrically as to his continued mental and emotional stability; he must cooperate fully in connection with such an examination. Furthermore, he will be obliged to continue any course of psychiatric counselling that may be recommended for as long as necessary. Respondent's readmission shall also be contingent upon his making full restitution to the Clients' Security Fund. Finally, any restoration to practice is conditioned upon respondent's working in a supervised capacity until otherwise ordered by the Board upon a suitable application. We state further that these conditions for restoration to practice shall be considered continuing obligations. If any of these is violated, or if respondent commits any further ethical breaches, such as were the subject of these proceedings, this would be virtually dispositive evidence that respondent has indeed gone beyond the pale of professional rehabilitation. It would impel the conclusion that we misjudged respondent as to his capacity for rehabilitation and that we were wrong in our appraisal of his basic character and fitness to practice law. That circumstance would justify disbarment. We further order that respondent reimburse the Ethics Financial Committee for appropriate costs, including production of transcripts. For suspension Justices CLIFFORD, HANDLER, POLLOCK, O'HERN and GARIBALDI 5. Opposed None. It is ORDERED that FURMAN L. TEMPLETON, JR., of EAST ORANGE, admitted to the bar of this State in 1966, be suspended from the practice of law for a period of five years and until the further Order of this Court, retroactive to September 9, 1980; and it is further ORDERED that prior to any restoration to practice, respondent must: 1. be evaluated psychiatrically as to his continued mental and emotional stability; 2. cooperate fully with such examination; 3. continue any course of psychiatric counselling that might be recommended for as long as may be necessary; and 4. make full restitution to the Clients' Security Fund; and it is further ORDERED that respondent's restoration shall be conditioned upon his working in a supervised capacity until otherwise ordered by the Disciplinary Review Board upon a suitable application; and it is further ORDERED that the obligation to meet the conditions for respondent's restoration to practice shall be ongoing; and it is further ORDERED that the restraint against respondent practicing law is hereby continued for the period he remains under suspension; and it is further ORDERED that respondent comply fully with Regulation 23 of the Office of Attorney Ethics, which governs suspended attorneys; and it is further ORDERED that respondent reimburse the Ethics Financial Committee for appropriate costs, including the production of transcripts.