Opinion
D-122 September Term 2018 082876
09-11-2019
In the MATTER OF Stephen Robert MURPHY, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 043201997)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 18-340, recommending on the record certified to the Board pursuant to Rule 1:20-4(f)(default by respondent), that Stephen Robert Murphy, formerly of Philadelphia, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1999, and who has been temporarily suspended from the practice of law since September 8, 2017, be disbarred for violating RPC 1.15(a) (knowing misappropriation of client funds and failure to safeguard funds), the principles of In re Wilson, 81 N.J. 451, 409 A.2d 1153 (1979) and In re Hollendonner, 102 N.J. 21, 504 A.2d 1174 (1985), RPC 1.15(d) and R. 1:21-6 (recordkeeping violations) and RPC 8.1(b) (failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities);
And Stephen Robert Murphy having failed to appear on the Order directing him to show cause why he should not be disbarred or otherwise disciplined;
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Stephen Robert Murphy be disbarred, effective immediately, and that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys; and it is further
ORDERED that Stephen Robert Murphy, be and hereby is, permanently restrained and enjoined from practicing law; and it is further
ORDERED that all funds, if any, currently existing in any New Jersey financial institution maintained by Stephen Robert Murphy pursuant to Rule 1:21-6, which were restrained from disbursement by Order of the Court filed September 8, 2017, shall be transferred by the financial institution to the Clerk of the Superior Court, who is directed to deposit the funds in the Superior Court Trust Fund pending further Order of this Court; and it is further
ORDERED that Stephen Robert Murphy comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with disbarred attorneys; 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.