Opinion ID: 2104797
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The New Jersey Proceedings

Text: The Supreme Court of New Jersey concluded that Respondent had neglected four clients during his representation of them in real estate matters. His misconduct occurred over a two year period. In one case, the Dinsdales matter, Respondent was found to have failed to conclude a real estate closing for two years and failed to respond to numerous inquiries from the clients. Respondent also violated the rules by maintaining his trust account in slipshod fashion. In another case Respondent represented the Monks in a quiet-title action. He did nothing for his clients for more than a year and was totally unreachable by his clients. The third matter involved Respondent's representation of the Matyikus, who sought his help with regard to their prospective purchaser's failure to perform under a contract for the sale of residential property. As in the other cases, Respondent promised that he would begin work on the case, but never did so. He did not keep his clients informed, nor did he return a retainer of $500 in a timely fashion. The final case involved Respondent's neglect of his client Sabelli, which was the conduct that most troubled the Disciplinary Review Board and the Supreme Court. Respondent failed to obtain a discharge of a mortgage on Sabelli's home. At one point, Respondent provided his client a faulty discharge of the mortgage to file with the County Clerk, knowing that the discharge was irregular and would not be recorded. Respondent admitted that he had provided such to shut [the client] up, who was excitable. When he was confronted by the client, Respondent lied to him and said that another discharge of the mortgage had been sent to the Clerk for recording. He later met Sabelli in a parking lot where, according to Respondent, Sabelli screamed, Make a move so I can leave you dead in the parking lot. Respondent managed to leave unharmed, but essentially abandoned his client, having become fearful of himduring the course of his representation of Sabelli, Respondent had learned that he had a pistol collection and had served time in prison for assault. The Disciplinary Review Board had recommended a three-month suspension and a one-year proctorship. The Supreme Court agreed with the findings of unethical conduct but disagreed with the recommended sanction and instead issued a public reprimand and ordered a one-year proctorship.