Opinion
089375
06-20-2024
IN THE MATTER OF JOAN OTHELIA PINNOCK, AN ATTORNEY AT LAW (ATTORNEYNO. 010881997)
ORDER
This matter having been duly presented pursuant to Rule 1:20-10(b), following a granting of a motion for discipline by consent in DRB 24-029 of Joan Othelia Pinnock, formerly of Newark, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1997, and who has been suspended since January 4, 2019, by order filed on December 5, 2019, and also suspended by order filed on March 13, 2019;
And the Office of Attorney Ethics and respondent having signed a stipulation of discipline by consent in which the parties agreed that respondent violated RPC 1.1(a) (committing gross neglect) (three matters), RPC 1.3 (lacking diligence) (three matters), RPC 1.4(b) (failing to respond to reasonable requests for information) (three matters), RPC 1.5(b) (failing to set forth in writing the basis or rate of the legal fee) (two matters), RPC 1.15(d) (failing to maintain financial records as required by Rule 1:21-6), RPC 1.16(a)(1) (failing to withdraw from a representation when required to do so) (seven matters), RPC 1.16(d) (failing to provide reasonable notice of termination of representation due to suspension and failing to promptly surrender papers or unearned fees to the client) (two matters), and RPC 5.5(a)(1) (engaging in the unauthorized practice of law) (eight matters), and that respondent’s conduct warrants a two-year to three-year suspension or such lesser discipline as the Disciplinary Review Board deems appropriate;
And the Office of Attorney Ethics and respondent having further agreed that respondent should be required to refund $1,000 to her client in the Brevett matter within ninety days of the Court’s order; And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that respondent violated RPC 1.1(a), RPC 1.3, RPC 1.4(b), RPC 1.5(b), RPC 1.16(a)(1), RPC 1.16(d), and RPC 5.5(a)(1), and having determined to dismiss the charge that respondent violated RPC 1.15(d);
And the Disciplinary Review Board having recommended that a three-year suspension is the appropriate discipline for respondent’s unethical conduct and that respondent should be required to refund $1,000 to her client in the Brevett matter within ninety days of the Court’s order;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having granted the motion for discipline by consent in District Docket Nos. XIV-2019-0557E, XIV-2019-0665E, and XIV-2020-0511E, and having submitted the record of the proceedings to the Clerk of the Supreme Court for the entry of an order of discipline in accordance with Rule 1:20-16(e);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Joan Othelia Pinnock is hereby suspended for a period of three years, and until further order of the Court, effective immediately; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent shall refund $1,000 to her client in the Brevett matter within ninety days; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent remain suspended from the practice of law by the orders filed on December 5, 2018, and March 13, 2019; 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.