Opinion
D-29-21
03-25-2022
In the Matter of Sunila D. Dutt, An Attorney At Law
Attorney No. 022872011
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 21 -064, concluding that as a matter of final discipline pursuant to Rule 1:20-13(c)(2), Sunila D. Dutt, formerly of Ashland, Virginia, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2012, and who has been temporarily suspended from practice pursuant to Rule 1:20-13 (b) (1) since October 31, 2016, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of eighteen months, retroactive to the date of her temporary suspension, following respondent's conviction in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey based on a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud and to obstruct justice in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371, 1519, and 1546 (a); And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that respondent's criminal conviction constitutes conduct in violation of RPC 8.4(b)(committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on a lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects) and RPC 8.4 (c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Sunila D. Dutt is suspended from the practice of law for a period of eighteen months and until the further Order of the Court, 1 effective October 31, 2016; 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 l:20-20(c), respondent's failure to comply with the Affidavit of Compliance requirement of Rule l: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.
WITNESS, the Honorable Stuart Rabner, Chief Justice, at Trenton, this 22nd day of March, 2022. 2