Opinion
088268
09-05-2024
IN THE MATTER OF DOUGLAS CLAY ANTON, AN ATTORNEY AT LAW (ATTORNEY NO. 016771995)
ORDER
This matter having been duly presented pursuant to Rule 1:20-10(b), following a granting of a motion for discipline by consent in DRB 23-068 of Douglas Clay Anton of Hackensack, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1995;
And the Office of Attorney Ethics and respondent having signed a stipulation of discipline by consent in which the parties agreed that respondent violated RPC 1.8(a) (engaging in an improper business transaction with a client), RPC 1.8(e) (providing financial assistance to a client in connection with pending or contemplated litigation), RPC 1.15(a) (commingling of funds), RPC 1.15(d) (failing to comply with the recordkeeping requirements of Rule 1:21-6), RPC 8.1(b) (failing to cooperate with disciplinary authorities), and RPC 8.4(c) (engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation), and that respondent’s conduct warrants a censure or such lesser discipline as the Board deems appropriate;
And the Office of Attorney Ethics and respondent having further agreed that respondent should be required to submit quarterly three-way reconciliations to the Office of Attorney Ethics for two years;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that respondent violated RPC 1.8(e), RPC 1.15(a), RPC 1.15(d), RPC 8.1(b), and RPC 8.4(c), to dismiss the charge that respondent violated RPC 1.8(a), and that a censure is the appropriate discipline for respondent’s unethical conduct;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having further recommended that respondent submit monthly reconciliations to the Office of Attorney Ethics, on a quarterly basis, for two years;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having granted the motion for discipline by consent in District Docket Nos. XIV-2019-0600E, XIV-2019-0637E, XIV-2020-0040E, XII-2021-0905E, XII-2021-0906E, and XII-2021-0907E, and 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 Douglas Clay Anton is hereby censured; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent submit monthly reconciliations to the Office of Attorney Ethics, on a quarterly basis, for two years; 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.