Opinion
D-157 084635
02-09-2021
In the Matter of Marshall L. Williams, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 025301983)
CORRECTED ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in 19-4, concluding on the record certified by the Board pursuant to Rule 1:20-4(f)(default by respondent) that Marshall L. Williams of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1984, 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)(failure to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information), RPC 3.2(failure to expedite litigation), RPC 3.3(a)(1)(false statement of material fact to a tribunal), RPC 3.4(c)(disobeying an obligation under the rules of a tribunal), RPC 3.4(d)(failure to make reasonably diligent efforts to comply with legally proper discovery requests by an opposing party), RPC 5.5(a)(1) and Rule 1:21-1A(a)(3)(unauthorized practice of law; failure to maintain liability insurance while practicing as a professional corporation), RPC 7.1(a)(false or misleading communications about the lawyer, the lawyer's services, or any matter in which the lawyer has, or seeks a professional involvement), RPC 8.1(b)(failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities), RPC 8.4(c)(conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation), and RPC 8.4(d)(conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Marshall L. Williams is suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years and until the further Order of the Court, effective March 12, 2021; 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.
WITNESS, the Honorable Stuart Rabner, Chief Justice, at Trenton, this 9th day of February, 2021.
/s/
CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT