Opinion
2017-03-28
IN THE MATTER OF JOSEPH A. GEMBALA, AN ATTORNEY AT LAW (ATTORNEY NO. 028631985)
156 A.3d 1041
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 15-421, concluding that as a matter of reciprocal discipline pursuant to Rule, 1:20-14(a), JOSEPH A. GEMBALA of PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1985, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year, based on discipline imposed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for unethical conduct that in New Jersey violates RPC 1.3(lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b)(failure to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and to promptly comply with reasonable requests for information), RPC 1.4(c)(failure to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary to permit the client to make informed deci*276 sions regarding the representation), RPC 1.16(d)(failure to properly terminate the representation, RPC 5.4(a)(improper fee sharing with a non-lawyer), RPC 7.5(a) (letterhead violations), RPC 8.4(a)(violate or attempt to violate the RPCs), and RPC 8.4(c)(con-duet involving dishonesty fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation);
And the Disciplinary Review Board having further concluded that the suspension should commence October 23, 2012, the date on which respondent was suspended in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania;
And the Court having determined from its review of the matter that respondent’s suspension should commence July 1, 2016, respondent not having practiced New Jersey law after that date;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that JOSEPH A. GEMBALA is suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year, effective July 1, 2016, and until the further Order of the Court; 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.