Notice - Disciplinary Review Board - Defaults Scheduled for Review on April 20, 2023

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 Richard Donnell Robinson
Docket No. DRB 23 -0 32
District Docket No. IIIB -2022- 0010E

In the Matter of Michael Martin McDonnell
Docket No. DRB 23 -034
District Docket No. XII -2022- 0003E

In the Matter of Matthew D. Rasmussen
Docket No. DRB 23-045
District Docket Nos. IX -2020- 0011E, IX -2021- 0001E, and IX- 2021-
0002E

These matters are scheduled to be reviewed by the Board on Thursday, April 20, 2023. 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 March 20, 2023. MOTIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE BOARD. The motion should specify why the attorney-respondent failed to file a timely answer (including lack of notice) and should set forth any claimed meritorious defenses to the ethics charge. The motion must also 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.

Respondents are 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).