Case Name: IN THE MATTER OF EDWARD J. GAFFNEY, JR., AN ATTORNEY AT LAW
Court: Supreme Court of New Jersey
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1996-10-21
Citations: 146 N.J. 522
Docket Number: 
Parties: IN THE MATTER OF EDWARD J. GAFFNEY, JR., AN ATTORNEY AT LAW.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Reports
Volume: 146
Pages: 522–524

Head Matter:
683 A.2d 553
IN THE MATTER OF EDWARD J. GAFFNEY, JR., AN ATTORNEY AT LAW.
October 21, 1996.

Opinion:
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board on May 14, 1996, having filed with the Court its decision concluding that EDWARD J. GAFF-NEY, JR., formerly of NEWTON, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1989, and who was suspended from practice on March 10,1994, and who remains suspended at this time under the terms of a two-and-one-half-year suspension, should be suspended from practice for a further period of three years, respondent having committed misconduct in eleven matters, including gross neglect in six matters (RPC 1.1(a)), combining to form a pattern of neglect (RPC 1.1(b)), failure to communicate in seven matters (RPC 1.4); lack of diligence in three matters (RPC 1.3), failure to cooperate with a disciplinary investigation in five of the matters (RPC 8.1(b)), failure to return client files or other property in three matters (RPC 1.16), misrepresentation in two matters RPC 8.4(e)), conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice RPC 8.4(d)), conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal RPC 3.5(c)), knowingly disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal RPC 3.4(e)), and failure to reduce a fee agreement to writing RPC 1.5(b));
And the Disciplinary Review Board having further concluded that prior to reinstatement to practice respondent should be required to complete successfully the Skills and Methods core courses and twelve hours of ethics courses offered by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education and that on reinstatement, respondent should be permitted to practice only under the supervision of a practicing attorney approved by the Office of Attorney Ethics;
And this Court having by Order dated November 2, 1994, directed that prior to restoration to practice respondent is to submit psychiatric and medical reports attesting to his fitness to practice law;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that EDWARD J. GAFFNEY, JR., is hereby suspended from the practice of law for a period of three years, effective September 10,1996, and until further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that prior to reinstatement to practice respondent shall demonstrate that he has successfully completed the Skills and Methods core courses and twelve hours of courses in professional responsibility offered by the Institute for Continuing Legal Education and shall submit psychiatric and medical reports attesting to his fitness to practice law; and it is further
ORDERED that on reinstatement to practice, respondent shall practice under the supervision of a practicing attorney approved by the Office of Attorney Ethics until further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that the entire record of this matter be made a permanent part of respondent's file as an attorney at law of this State; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent be restrained and enjoined from practicing law during the period of his suspension and that he comply with Rule 1:20-20; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent reimburse the Disciplinary Oversight Committee for appropriate administrative costs incurred in the prosecution of this matter.