Opinion
D-116 September Term 2021 087199
02-09-2023
ORDER The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 21-274, concluding that as a matter of final discipline pursuant to Rule 1:20-13 (c), William H. Lynch, Jr., of Paoli, Pennsylvania , who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1987, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of eighteen months following respondent's guilty plea and conviction in the Court of Common Pleas of Chester County, Pennsylvania of one count of stalking, contrary to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 2709.1(a)(2), conduct in violation of RPC 8.4(b) (commission of a criminal act that reflects adversely on a lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects);
And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that prior to reinstatement to practice, respondent should be required to submit to the Office of Attorney Ethics proof of ongoing compliance with psychiatric treatment and proof of his fitness to practice law, as attested to by a medical doctor approved by the Office of Attorney Ethics;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that William H. Lynch, Jr., is suspended from the practice of law for a period of eighteen months, and until the further Order of the Court, effective immediately; and it is further
ORDERED that prior to his reinstatement to practice, William H. Lynch, Jr., shall submit to the Office of Attorney Ethics proof of ongoing compliance with psychiatric treatment and proof of his fitness to practice law, as attested to by a medical doctor 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 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.