Opinion
D-50 September Term 2019 083729
04-09-2020
In the MATTER OF Nelson GONZALEZ, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 020401997)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 19-129, DRB 19-130 and DRB 19-131, concluding that Nelson Gonzalez of Dover, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1997, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months for his multiple violations of RPC 1.1(a) (gross neglect), RPC 1.3 (lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b) (failure to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information), RPC 1.4(c) (failure to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary for the client to make informed decisions about the representation), RPC 1.15(a) (failure to safeguard funds, negligent misappropriation), RPC 1.15(d) and Rule 1:21-6 (recordkeeping violations), RPC 3.2 (failure to expedite litigation), RPC 3.4(d) (failure to comply with reasonable discovery requests), RPC 5.3(a) (failure to supervise nonlawyer staff), RPC 8.1(a) (false statement of material fact to a disciplinary authority), RPC 8.1(b) (failure to cooperate with ethics authorities), and RPC 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation);
And the Court having determined from its review of the matter that a three-month suspension from practice is the appropriate quantum of discipline for respondent's unethical conduct;
And the Court having determined that as a condition of reinstatement to the practice of law, respondent should submit proof that his wife is not employed by him or given access in any manner to respondent's law practice or attorney accounts, books and records; And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Nelson Gonzalez is suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months, effective May 7, 2020, and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that Nelson Gonzalez shall not employ his wife or give her access to his law practice or his attorney accounts, books and records and shall provide proof thereof to the Office of Attorney Ethics prior to reinstatement to practice; 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 1:20-20(c), respondent's failure to comply with the Affidavit of Compliance requirement of Rule 1:20-20(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.