Opinion
088418
01-29-2024
IN THE MATTER OF JOSHUA LOUIS THOMAS AN ATTORNEY AT LAW (ATTORNEY NO. 008902012)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court a decision in DRB 23-027, recommending as a matter of reciprocal discipline pursuant to Rule 1:20-14(a), that Joshua Louis Thomas of Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2012, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years based on discipline imposed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for unethical conduct that in New Jersey constitutes violations of RPC 1.1(a) (engaging in gross neglect) (three instances), RPC 1.1(b) (engaging in a pattern of neglect) (three instances), RPC 1.3 (engaging in lack of diligence) (three instances), RPC 3.1 (engaging in frivolous litigation), RPC 3.2 (failing to expedite litigation) (three instances), RPC 3.8(a)(1) (making a false statement of material fact to a tribunal) (two instances), RPC 3.4(d) (failing to comply with discovery requests), RPC 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation) (two instances), and RPC 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice) (three instances);
And the Disciplinary Review Board having further recommended that upon reinstatement respondent should be precluded from practicing law as a sole practitioner for a period of at least two years and until further order of the Court;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Joshua Louis Thomas is suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years and until further order of the Court, effective February 28, 2024; and it is further
ORDERED that upon reinstatement respondent is precluded from practicing law as a sole practitioner for a period of at least two years and until 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.