Notice - Defaults Scheduled for Review by the Disciplinary Review Board on September 18, 2025.

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 Edward F. Christopher
Docket No. DRB 25-142
District Docket No. XIV-2023-0473E

In the Matter of Andrew G. Bitar
Docket No. DRB 25-150
District Docket Nos. XIV-2024-0022E, XIV-2024-0054E,
and XIV-2024-0516E

These matters are scheduled to be reviewed by the Board on Thursday, September 18, 2025. R. 1:20-4(f) provides that an attorney-respondent’s failure to timely file an 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 August 25, 2025. 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 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.