Notice – Disciplinary Review Board – Defaults Scheduled for Review on January 19, 2023.

DEFAULTS SCHEDULED FOR REVIEW BY THE DISCIPLINARY REVIEW BOARD THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 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 John Anthony Feloney, IV
Docket No. DRB 22-179
District Docket No. VIII-2021-0022E

In the Matter of William Timothy Howes
Docket No. DRB 22-187
District Docket No. XIV-2021-0107E

In the Matter of John Charles Allen
Docket No. DRB 22-190
District Docket No. VIII-2021-0021E

In the Matter of Walter K. Abrams
Docket No. DRB 22-198
District Docket No. XIV-2020-0168E

These matters are scheduled to be reviewed by the Board on Thursday, January 19, 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 December 12, 2022. 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).

Respondents 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.