Opinion
D-140 September Term 2020 086005
03-11-2022
In the MATTER OF John Charles ALLEN, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 050991994)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 20-296, concluding that John Charles Allen of New Brunswick, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1995, and who has been temporarily suspended from practice pursuant to Orders of the Court since July 6, 2021, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months for violating RPC 1.15 (d) (failure to comply with recordkeeping rules), RPC 3.3 (a) (1) (false statement of material fact to a tribunal), RPC 8.1(b) (failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities), and RPC 8.4 (c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation);
And the Disciplinary Review Board having further determined that prior to reinstatement to practice, respondent should be required to attend a continuing legal education course in attorney recordkeeping and that he should be required to submit three-way reconciliations of his attorney books and records to the Office of Attorney Ethics on a quarterly basis for a period of two years;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Charles John Allen is suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months and until the further Order of the Court, effective immediately; and it is further
ORDERED that prior to reinstatement to practice, John Charles Allen shall successfully complete a continuing legal education course in attorney recordkeeping; and it is further
ORDERED that following reinstatement to practice, respondent shall submit monthly three-way reconciliations of his attorney books and records to the Office of Attorney Ethics on a quarterly basis for a period of two years and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that John Charles Allen shall remain suspended from practice pursuant to the Orders of temporary suspension issued by the Court, pending his compliance with the terms of said Orders 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 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.