Opinion
D-80 September Term 2019 083919
05-21-2020
In the MATTER OF Adam Luke BRENT, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 007612002)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 19-208, concluding that Adam Luke Brent, formerly of Franklinville, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2003, and who has been suspended from the practice of law since March 6, 2019, pursuant to the Orders of this Court filed March 6, 2019, September 23, 2019, and December 5, 2019, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year for violating RPC 1.1(a) (gross neglect), RPC 1.1 (b) (pattern of neglect), RPC 1.3 (lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b) (failure to keep client reasonably informed or to reply to reasonable requests for information), RPC 1.5(b) (failure to set forth the basis or rate of fee in writing), RPC 1.7(a) (conflict of interest), RPC 1.16(a) (failure to withdraw from a representation to avoid violation of the RPCs), RPC 1.16(d) (failure to protect the client's interest on termination of the representation), RPC 5.5(a) (unauthorized practice of law), RPC 7.1(a)(2) (false communication about the lawyer or the lawyer's services that is likely to create an unjustified expectation about the results the lawyer can achieve), RPC 8.1(a) (false statement to disciplinary authorities), RPC 8.1(b) (failure to disclose a fact necessary to correct a misapprehension known by the person to have arisen in the matter, and failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities), and RPC 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation);
And the Disciplinary Review Board further having determined that respondent should be required to refund the $7,000 fee paid in the Meyer matter within thirty days after the filing date of the Court's Order of discipline;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Adam Luke Brent is suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year, effective immediately, and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent refund the $7,000 fee in the Meyer matter within thirty days after the filing date of this Order; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent remain suspended from the practice of law pursuant to the Orders of this Court filed March 6, 2019, September 23, 2019, December 5, 2019, and pending his compliance with the determination of the District I Fee Arbitration determination in District Docket No. I-2016-033F, payment of the sanction to the Disciplinary Oversight Committee, refund of the fee in the Meyer matter, and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with suspended attorneys; and it is further
ORDERED that pursuant to Rule 1:20-20(c), respondent's failure to comply with the Affidavit of Compliance requirement of Rule 1:20-20(b)(15) may (1) preclude the Disciplinary Review Board from considering respondent's petition for reinstatement for a period of up to six months from the date respondent files proof of compliance; (2) be found to constitute a violation of RPC 8.1(b) and RPC 8.4(d) ; and (3) provide a basis for an action for contempt pursuant to Rule 1:10-2; and it is further
ORDERED that the entire record of this matter be made a permanent part of respondent's file as an attorney at law of this State; and it is further ORDERED that respondent reimburse the Disciplinary Oversight Committee for appropriate administrative costs and actual expenses incurred in the prosecution of this matter, as provided in Rule 1:20-17.