"Just Retained"

The New Jersey Supreme Court has imposed a three-year suspension of an already suspended attorney.

From the Disciplinary Review Board letter decision

In addition to her mishandling of the Brevett, D.S., and C.P.W. matters, while suspended, the Department of Justice informed the OAE that respondent filed documents with the Immigration Court on behalf of other clients in three separate matters (for confidentiality reasons these were identified only by file numbers 102, 237, and 987). In case 987, respondent filed a motion to substitute as counsel and three motions for a continuance on behalf of a detained client, claiming she had been “just retained,” in December 2018, when she was already aware of her impending January 2019 suspension. In case 237, respondent represented another detained client by filing a motion to continue, certificate of service, and notice of entry of appearance, wherein she falsely represented that she was a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar. In case 102, respondent filed a notice of entry of appearance, wherein she again falsely represented that she was a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar. Respondent also admitted that she filed I-90 applications in February 2020 on behalf of her friends, A.C. and S.G. Based on these facts, respondent stipulated, and the Board determined, that she violated RPC 1.16(a)(1) by failing to withdraw from representation and RPC 5.5(a)(1) by engaging in the unauthorized practice of law while suspended by representing eight clients.

(Mike Frisch)