Opinion
D-121-20
01-31-2022
In the Matter of Robert Geoffrey Broderick, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 044852010)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 20-239, concluding that as a matter of reciprocal discipline pursuant to Rule 1:20-14 (a)(4) (E), Robert Geoffrey Broderick of San Clemente California, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2010, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year based on discipline imposed in the District of Columbia for unethical conduct that is in violation of RPC 8.1 (a) (knowingly making a false statement of material fact in connection with a bar admission application or in connection with a disciplinary matter) and RPC 8.4 (c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation);
And Robert Geoffrey Broderick having certified to the New Jersey Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection on February 28, 2018, that he was completely retired from the practice of law in every jurisdiction and that his employment, if any, was not in any way related to the practice of law, and on that basis having registered with Retired status in New Jersey;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that respondent's one-year period of suspension from practice should be deferred until such time as respondent seeks to resume the practice of New Jersey law;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Robert Geoffrey Broderick is suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year, and until the further Order of the Court, the term of suspension to be effective when respondent no longer satisfies the requirements of Retired status; and it is further
ORDERED that if Robert Geoffrey Broderick determines to resume the practice of New Jersey law or otherwise no longer qualifies for Retired status in New Jersey, he shall immediately inform the Clerk of the Supreme Court and the Director of the Office of Attorney Ethics; and it is further
ORDERED that on the commencement of his term of suspension, respondent shall 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 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.
WITNESS, the Honorable Stuart Rabner, Chief Justice, at Trenton, this 25th day of January, 2022.