Opinion ID: 1991636
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Berger Matter

Text: Complainant, Daniel E. Berger, is an attorney-at-law of the State of New Jersey. On April 3, 1985, complainant represented his father's corporation, Lakechef, Inc. (Lakechef), as landlord, in a tenancy matter to evict respondent's client, Main Answer, Inc. (Main Answer), for failure to pay rent. At the tenancy proceeding, respondent made false statements to the court concerning the amount of rent due by Main Answer. Specifically, respondent produced an agreement between Lakechef and Main Answer which purported to set off certain credits against the rent. The agreement, which was unsigned by Lakechef, was false. It was prepared by respondent or by someone at his direction, with his consent or approval. With the knowledge that it was false, respondent introduced it into evidence at the tenancy proceeding. Nevertheless, the court granted a judgment of eviction on that date. On the next day, April 4, 1985, respondent filed a bankruptcy petition in behalf of Main Answer, thereby causing an automatic stay of the eviction. On May 22, 1985, complainant filed a motion in the bankruptcy court seeking a lift of the automatic stay, on the ground that the eviction had been ordered prior to the filing of the bankruptcy petition. The motion sought, also, to compel Main Answer to pay rent during the pendency of the bankruptcy. On the return date of the motion, respondent misrepresented to the bankruptcy judge that the rent due was $275.00 per month when, in truth, Main Answer had previously made payments in the amount of $500.00 per month. [2] Respondent misrepresented, also, that Main Answer was entitled to certain credits. In view of the conflicting statements concerning the amount of rent, the bankruptcy judge adjourned the matter in order to conduct a hearing on that issue. He ordered, however, that Main Answer continue to pay the least amount of rent due, $275.00 per month. On July 13, 1985, a new bankruptcy judge heard the matter. [3] Once again, respondent made serious misrepresentations to the court. Specifically, he falsely stated that the prior bankruptcy judge had ruled on the matter and had denied the motion to lift the automatic stay. The new judge, however, had reviewed the record prior to the hearing. In spite of respondent's misrepresentation, the judge lifted the automatic stay and granted complainant's motion to have Main Answer evicted. On August 6, 1987, respondent filed with the county clerk a false document purporting to be a Notice to Stay Execution of Removal Pending Appeal. Said document was designed to mislead the authorities and to prevent them from carrying out the eviction. Nevertheless, the eviction began at 11:00 a.m. on August 21, 1984. At noon, respondent telephoned the clerk's and the constable's offices to advise them that he had obtained an order from a federal court staying the eviction. By the time the clerk's office contacted the constable, however, the eviction had been completed. Respondent had, in fact, obtained a two-day stay of the eviction, at which time he misrepresented to the court that he had given notice of his application to the complainant, his adversary in the matter. The stay, however, was not granted until 4:30 p.m., hours after respondent telephoned the clerk's and constable's offices. [4] Thereafter, respondent filed a lawsuit in behalf of Main Answer against Lakechef for malicious prosecution in violation of civil rights, stemming from the municipal court complaint on the $500.00 bad check. Lakechef was represented by attorneys for its insurance carrier. Although aware that Lakechef was represented by counsel, respondent communicated directly with principals of Lakechef by sending letters and serving interrogatories on Lakechef. The hearing before the district ethics committee took place on January 14, 1986. Respondent did not appear. Following the conclusion of the hearing, the committee found that respondent had been guilty of unethical conduct, in violation of R.P.C. 1.2(a), R.P.C. 3.2, R.P.C. 3.3(a), R.P.C. 3.4, R.P.C. 4.1, R.P.C. 4.2 and R.P.C. 8.4. Specifically, the committee concluded that respondent had made serious misrepresentations to three judges; had filed a fraudulent notice of appeal; had introduced false documents into evidence and made fraudulent statements on behalf of his client; had failed to make reasonable efforts to treat the court and other attorneys with reasonable courtesy and consideration; had knowingly made false statements of material fact or law and offered evidence which he knew to be false; had falsified evidence; had made false statements of material facts to third persons; had communicated directly with an adverse party represented by counsel; and had committed numerous acts of misconduct. The committee recommended that a presentment be brought against respondent.