Opinion
D-149 September Term 2020 086052
03-11-2022
In the MATTER OF Alfred V. GELLENE, an Attorney at Law (Attorney No. 003091979)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 20-289 and DRB 20-336, concluding that Alfred V. Gellene of Totowa, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1979, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months for violating RPC 1.1(a) (gross neglect), RPC 1.3 (lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b) (failure to keep client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and to comply with reasonable requests for information), and RPC 8.1(b) (failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities);
And the Disciplinary Review Board having further determined that prior to reinstatement to practice, respondent should be required to provide proof of his continued psychological counseling and treatment and his fitness to practice law;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Alfred V. Gellene is suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months and until the further Order of the Court, effective April 11, 2022; and it is further
ORDERED that prior to reinstatement to practice, Alfred V. Gellene shall (1) participate in psychological counseling and continue to comply with his prescribed regimen of medication, which he shall provide proof of to the Office of Attorney Ethics, and (2) provide proof of fitness to practice law, as attested to by a mental health professional approved by the Office of Attorney Ethics; 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.