Opinion
2014-06-18
In the Matter of Saleemah M. BROWN, a/k/a Saleemah Malikah Khaleefah Brown, an Attorney at Law (Attorney No. 044482006).
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 13–341, concluding on the record certified to the Board pursuant to Rule 1:20–4(f) (default by respondent), that SALEEMAH M. BROWN, A/K/A SALEEMAH MALIKAH KHALEEFAH BROWN, of PATERSON, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2008, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of three-months for violating RPC 1.4(b) (failure to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter), RPC 1.5(a) (unreasonable fee), RPC 1.15(b) (failure to promptly notify a client about the receipt of funds or to promptly turn over funds that the client is entitled to receive), RPC 1.15(c) (failure to keep separate funds in which a lawyer and another claim an interest, until the dispute concerning their respective interests is resolved), and RPC 1.15(d) and Rule 1:21–6 (recordkeeping), RPC 8.1(a) (false statement to disciplinary authorities), RPC 8.1(b) (failure to comply with a lawful demand for information from a disciplinary authority);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that SALEEMAH M. BROWN, A/K/A SALEEMAH MALIKAH KHALEEFAH BROWN, is suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months, effective July 17, 2014, and until the further Order of the Court; 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(c); 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.