The following matters have been certified to the Disciplinary Review Board as defaults, in accordance with R. 1:20-4(f):
In the Matter of Margaret Morrissey
Docket No. DRB 26-051
District Docket No. XIV-2025-0141E
In the Matter of Esther Bodek
Docket No. DRB 26-077
District Docket Nos. IIIA-2025-0901E and XIV-2024-0110E
In the Matter of Andrew Dwyer
Docket No. DRB 26-084
District Docket No. VB-2025-0006E
These matters are scheduled to be reviewed by the Board on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. R. 1:20-4(f) provides that an attorney-respondent’s failure to timely file a conforming answer “shall be deemed an admission that the allegations of the complaint are true and . . . provide sufficient basis for the imposition of discipline.” Although chances for a successful motion are limited, a motion to vacate the default may be filed with the Board by no later than April 27, 2026. MOTIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE BOARD. The motion should (1) specify why the attorney-respondent failed to file a timely, conforming answer (including lack of notice), and (2) set forth any claimed meritorious defenses to the ethics charges. The motion also must be simultaneously served on the Director of the Office of Attorney Ethics and, where appropriate, the district ethics committee responsible for the underlying ethics matter. A certification regarding that service must accompany any documents filed with the Board.
Respondent is hereby advised that, generally, in a default matter, the discipline is enhanced to reflect a respondent’s failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities as an aggravating factor. In re Kivler, 193 N.J. 332, 338 (2008).
Respondent may communicate with the Board by contacting the Office of Board Counsel at:
P.O. Box 962, Trenton, NJ 08625, Telephone: 609-815-2920, E-Mail: DRB.MBX@njcourts.gov.
Document Date: April 16, 2026
Publish Date: April 16, 2026