Opinion ID: 7311715
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Facts of Stosny Matter

Text: The evidence in the Stosny matter is supported by much documentary evidence and by the testimony of Mary Stosny, Stephen Stosny, and Joseph Stosny, Jr., all of whom contradict respondent’s position. On July 27, 1983, Mary Stosny, Stephen Stosny, and Joseph Stosny, Jr., met with respondent’s associate to discuss the administration of their deceased father’s estate. Mr. Stosny had died intestate on July 22,1983. The attorney was informed that their father had buried $15,000 in the cellar of his house in 1979 to be used for the support of Mary and her minor brother, Michael. After their father died, the money was placed in two bank accounts, in Mary’s name only. After respondent learned of the substance of his associate’s conference with the Stosnys, he telephoned the home of Joseph Stosny, Jr. When Mary answered, respondent told her that it was a shame that a young girl such as herself would have to go to jail for taking money that did not belong to her. According to Mary, respondent also told her she needed an attorney and should see him that evening. Mary and Joseph met with respondent that evening, and respondent agreed to represent them and to file an inheritance tax return. Respondent prepared an inheritance tax return that did not include the $15,000. Joseph signed the return on November 17, 1983. Respondent demanded possession of certain bank certificates in Stephen’s possession. In a letter dated March 13, 1984, Stephen informed respondent that there was no reason to forward the certificates. He had been advised by counsel that respondent did not represent the administrator of the estate and since the estate amounted to less than $5,000, no administrator was required. Further, respondent should move expeditiously to dispose of the tax waiver forms you’ve received from Trenton, and not delay this matter anymore than you already have done through errors and unnecessary maneuvers. By letter dated March 19, 1984, respondent retorted that he resented Stephen’s letter and accused him of trying to evade payment of legal services. This prompted a heated exchange of correspondence between the two resulting in Stephen sending respondent a letter containing specific instructions regarding the manner in which he wished the respondent to represent him. On June 5, 1984, respondent filed a complaint in action for appointment of guardianship and an order to show cause in the matter of Michael Stosny. Joseph was listed as the movant. The court action sought to restrain the next of kin from withdrawing the $15,000 and using the money for any purpose without court permission. Paragraph 7 of the complaint reads as follows: 7. Since Joseph Stosny, Jr., has filed a New Jersey Inheritance Tax Report it has come to his attention that Mary Stosny deposited the sum of approximately $15,000.00 in her own accounts in Anchor Savings Bank, Cherry Hill, New Jersey and the Fidelity Bank and Trust Company, Pennsauken, New Jersey in a certificate. This money, Joseph Stosny understands, was given by decedent to Mary Stosny before his death to use for the benefit of the minor Michael Stosny. Six days before the return date of July 26, 1984, Joseph wrote to the court stating he did not wish to be plaintiff in the court action. He explained: I had instructed my attorney, Edward J, Brady not to file the pleading in the first place, and have subsequently instructed him to withdraw it. Moreover, he did not contend, as the pleadings stated, that the $15,000 had been a gift from his father before death for the benefit of Michael Stosny. Rather, the money was a gift to be used by both Mary and Michael. Finally, since his sister had agreed to give half of the money to the surrogate in trust for Michael, there was no reason for this matter to be before the court. An attorney appeared on respondent’s behalf at the July 26, 1984, court hearing. That attorney later reported to respondent that Mary acknowledged that half of the $15,000 belonged to her younger brother, Michael. The attorney said that all parties acknowledged that Michael was entitled to his share of the accounts. He stated that the court directed that all of Michael’s assets be turned over to another attorney designated by the court as guardian for the minor. By letter dated August 31, 1984, respondent filed a Notice of Motion along with an affidavit from Joseph in the Matter of the Guardianship of Michael Stosny in support of a judgment in which he sought, among thirteen other things, payment of certain expenses to Joseph, an accounting, and orders compelling his own clients, Mary and Stephen, to turn over certain funds to the guardian. The legal action was filed on behalf of Joseph who in his affidavit sought from Michael’s guardian reimbursement of expenses in the amount of only $1,719.87. The three-paragraph affidavit does not address any of the other forms of relief sought by respondent in the Notice of Motion. At the hearing, September 21, 1984, the court disallowed the claim for reimbursement to Joseph because it had not been made in accordance with Court Rules. The court denied the balance of the request for relief but ordered that any papers pertaining to the estate be turned over to the attorney for the estate. The court further directed that any money Joseph earned on Michael’s money be turned over to his guardian. The Ethics Committee found, based on incorporated sound recordings of the September 21, 1984, hearing, that respondent conducted himself in a manner inappropriate in a judicial proceeding, namely, that he had been rude and abrasive to the judge and the attorneys who participated at the hearing. By letter dated December 14, 1984, respondent sought to block a savings and loan association from releasing funds to Stephen, claiming that Joseph was a joint owner of that account and that Stephen owed Joseph money. Respondent stated in that letter that he was former counsel to Joseph Stosny. Respondent also sought to place a lien against Mary's account, claiming that Joseph had a lien because of outstanding funeral bills, hospital bills, and attorney’s fees. In the Stosny matter, the DRB found by clear and convincing evidence that [Respondent’s pattern of misconduct becomes more apparent. Respondent continued his multiple representation of Joseph, Stephen and Mary Stosny when his professional judgment on behalf of Stephen and Mary Stosny was adversely affected by his representation of Joseph Stosny. His actions violated DR 5-105(B). Respondent filed a complaint on behalf of Joseph Stosny, although he had been directed by Joseph not to do so. In that legal action, respondent sought to compel his own clients, Mary and Stephen Stosny, to turn over certain money to the county surrogate. He also sought to create a lien on accounts of Mary and Stephen Stosny. His conduct was contrary to DR 7-101(A)(3). Respondent also far exceeded the direction of his client, Joseph Stosny, who only sought reimbursement of expenses, when he sought various other items of relief in that legal action, contrary to DR 2—110(B). When assessed in its totality, respondent’s conduct evinces a cavalier insensitivity to the needs of his clients and reflects adversely on his fitness to practice law, contrary to DR 1-102(A)(6).