Opinion
D-45 September Term 2020 085325
03-11-2021
In the MATTER OF Stephen Robert JONES, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 004342006)
ORDER The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 20-035 and DRB 20-067, concluding that Stephen Robert Jones of Rotonda West, Florida, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2006 and who has been temporarily suspended from the practice of law by consent since March 16, 2020, should be suspended from practice for a period of one year, for violating RPC 1.1(a) (gross neglect), RPC 1.3 (lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b) and (c) (failure to communicate with client), RPC 1.16(d) (failure to protect client's interests on termination of representation), RPC 8.1(b) (failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities), RPC 8.4(b) (criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects), and RPC 8.4(g) (engaging in a professional capacity in conduct involving discrimination);
And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that the suspension should be retroactive to the effective date of respondent's temporary suspension;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having further determined that prior to reinstatement to practice, respondent should provide proof of his fitness to practice law, as attested to by a mental health professional approved by the Office of Attorney Ethics and that following reinstatement and for a period of two years, respondent should provide to the Office of Attorney Ethics quarterly reports documenting his continued psychological and substance abuse counseling;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Stephen Robert Jones is suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year and until the further Order of the Court, effective March 16, 2020; and it is further
ORDERED that prior to reinstatement to practice, respondent shall provide proof of his 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 following respondent's reinstatement to practice, respondent shall provide to the Office of Attorney Ethics quarterly reports documenting his continued psychological and substance abuse counseling, for a period of two years 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 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.