Opinion
D-131-2020
01-31-2022
In the Matter of William M. Witherspoon, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 022731988)
ORDER
STUART RABNER, CHIEF JUSTICE
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 20-266, concluding on the record certified by the Board pursuant to Rule 1:20-4(f)(default by respondent), that William M. Witherspoon of Lakehurst, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1988, and who has been temporarily suspended from the practice of law since May 24, 2021, should be censured for violating RPC 1.3(lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b)(failure to communicate with client), and RPC 8.1(b)(failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that William M. Witherspoon is hereby censured; and it is further
ORDERED that William M. Witherspoon remain suspended from practice pursuant to the Order of this Court filed April 22, 2021, pending his compliance with the District IIIA Fee Arbitration Committee determination, and until the further Order of the Court; 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 25thday of January, 2022.