Summary
knowing that the complaint had been dismissed, the attorney assured the client that his matter was proceeding apace, and that he should expect a monetary award in the near future; both statements were false, in violation of RPC 8.4(c); the attorney also exhibited gross neglect and a lack of diligence by allowing his client's case to be dismissed, not working on it after filing the initial claim, and failing to take any steps to prevent its dismissal or ensure its reinstatement thereafter, violations of RPC 1.1 and RPC 1.3; the attorney also violated RPC 1.4(b) by failing to promptly reply to the client's requests for status updates
Summary of this case from In re CapriglioneOpinion
D-64 September Term 2014, 075451
02-03-2015
In the Matter of Mark Edward RUFFOLO, an Attorney at Law (Attorney No. 005351995).
ORDER
This matter have been duly presented pursuant to Rule 1:20–10(b), following the granting of a motion for discipline by consent in DRB 14–297 of MARK EDWARD RUFFOLO of RAMSEY, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1995;
And the District IIA Ethics Committee and respondent having signed a stipulation of discipline by consent in which it was agreed that respondent violated RPC 1.1(a) (gross neglect), RPC 1.3 (lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b) and (c) (failure to communicate with the client), and RPC 8.4(c) (conduct that involves dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation);
And the parties having agreed that respondent's conduct violated RPC 1.1(a), RPC 1.3, RPC 1.4(b) and (c), and RPC 8.4(c), and that said conduct warrants a reprimand or lesser discipline;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that a reprimand is the appropriate discipline for respondent's unethical conduct and having granted the motion for discipline by consent in District Docket No. IIA–2014–0002E;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having submitted the record of the proceedings to the Clerk of the Supreme Court for the entry of an order of discipline in accordance with Rule 1:20–16(e);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that MARK EDWARD RUFFOLO of RAMSEY is hereby reprimanded; 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 furtherORDERED 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.