Opinion
D-13 September Term 2018 081871
11-16-2018
In the MATTER OF Howard J. BATT, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 003571980)
ORDER
This matter have been duly presented pursuant to Rule 1:20-10(b), following a granting of a motion for discipline by consent in DRB 18-212 of Howard J. Batt of Cherry Hill , who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1980;
And the Office of Attorney Ethics and respondent having signed a stipulation of discipline by consent in which it was agreed that respondent violated RPC 1.15(a) (negligent misappropriation of client funds), RPC 1.15(d) and Rule 1:21-6 (recordkeeping violations), RPC 5.3(a) and (b) (failure to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the conduct of nonlawyers is compatible with the lawyer's professional obligations);
And the parties having agreed that respondent's conduct violated RPC 1.15(a), RPC 1.15(d), Rule 1:21-6 and RPC 5.3(a) and (b), 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. XIV-2016-0005E;
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 Howard J. Batt of Cherry Hill 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 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.