Opinion
D-91 084002
06-03-2020
In the Matter of Joel S. Ziegler, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 222301966)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 19-223 and DRB 19-273, concluding that Joel S. Ziegler of Maplewood, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1966, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months for violating RPC 1.5(b)(failure to set forth in writing the basis or rate of the fee); RPC 5.5(a)(1)(unauthorized practice of law), RPC 1.15(a)(commingling and failure to safeguard client funds), RPC 1.15(d)(recordkeeping), and RPC 8.4(c)(conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Joel S. Ziegler is suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months, and until the further Order of the Court, effective July 6, 2020; 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 3rd day of June, 2020.
/s/
CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT