Opinion
D-111-20 Attorney 027832004
09-28-2021
In the Matter of Stephanie Julia Brown, An Attorney At Law
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in the consolidated matters of DRB Nos. 20-122, 20-123, 20-210, 20-252, 20-270, 20-279 and 2-327, recommending that Stephanie Julia Brown, formerly of Sewell, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2006, and who has been suspended from the practice of law since April 12, 2019, be disbarred;
And the consolidated matters being comprised of a motion for final discipline pursuant to Rule 1:20-13 (c), a motion for reciprocal discipline pursuant to Rule 1:20-14 based on respondent's discipline by consent in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and five matters considered by the Board pursuant to Rule 1:20-4(f) (default by respondent);
And the Disciplinary Review Board having recommended that Stephanie Julia Brown be disbarred based on the totality of respondent's unethical conduct found by the Board in the consolidated matters: RPC 1.1(a) (gross neglect) (five instances), RPC 1.1(b)(pattern of neglect) (five instances), RPC 1.4(b) (failure to communicate with client) (two instances), RPC 1.5(b)(failure to provide retainer agreement), RPC 1.5(e)(improper division of fee between firms), RPC 1.15(a)(recordkeeping violations), RPC 1.15(b)(failure to refund fee), RPC 1.15(c)(comingling of funds), RPC 3.3(a)(1)(false statement of material fact or law to a tribunal), RPC 4.4(a)(1)(false statement of material fact or law to a third person), RPC 7.1(a)(false communication about the lawyer or lawyers' services), RPC 8.1(b)(failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities) (eleven instances), RPC 8.4(b) (commission of a criminal act that reflects adversely on the honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness of the lawyer), RPC 8.4(c)(conduct involving fraud, dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation) (three instances), and RPC 8.4(d)(conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice) (two instances);
And Stephanie Julia Brown having failed to appear on the Order directing her to show cause why she should not be disbarred or otherwise disciplined;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Stephanie Julia Brown be disbarred, effective immediately, and that her name be stricken from the roll of attorneys;
ORDERED that Stephanie Julia Brown be and hereby is permanently restrained and enjoined from practicing law; and it is further
ORDERED that all funds, if any, currently existing or hereinafter deposited in any New Jersey financial institution maintained by Stephanie Julia Brown pursuant to Rule 1:21-6 be restrained from disbursement except on application to this Court, for good cause shown, and shall be transferred by the financial institution to the Clerk of the Superior Court, who is directed to deposit the funds in the Superior Court Trust Fund pending the further Order of this Court; and it is further
ORDERED that Stephanie Julia Brown comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with disbarred attorneys; 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 27th day of September, 2021.