Opinion
D-25 September Term 2020 085102
01-14-2021
In the MATTER OF Susan A. LOWDEN, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 001571991)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 19-450 and DRB 19-473, concluding on the records certified by the Board pursuant to Rule 1:20-4(f) (default by respondent) that Susan A. Lowden of Haddonfield, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1991 and who has been temporarily suspended from the practice of law since April 12, 2019, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years 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 1.5(b) (failure to provide a written fee agreement), RPC 8.1(b) (failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities), and RPC 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation);
And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that the term of suspension should be consecutive to the six-month term of suspension imposed by the Court that was effective March 26, 2020;
And the Disciplinary Review Board further having determined that respondent should be required to refund the fees she accepted in the Embry and Rulli matters within thirty days after the Court's Order of discipline;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Susan A. Lowden is suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years, effective September 26, 2020, and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further ORDERED that Susan A. Lowden remain suspended from the practice of law pursuant to the Orders of this Court filed March 26, 2020, October 25, 2019, and March 13, 2019, and pending her compliance with the determinations of the District IV Fee Arbitration determinations in District Docket Nos. IV-2019-0042F and IV-2018-0022F, and payment of sanctions to the Disciplinary Oversight Committee, and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that Susan A. Lowden shall refund in full the fees she received in the Embry and Rulli matters, which she shall do within thirty days after the filing date of this Order, and shall provide satisfactory proof thereof to the Office of Board Counsel and the Office of Attorney Ethics; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent continue to 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.