Opinion
D-2 September Term 2019 083426
06-03-2021
In the MATTER OF Stephanie Julia BROWN, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 027832004)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 19-039, concluding on the record certified to the Board pursuant to Rule 1:20-4(f)(default by respondent), that Stephanie Julia Brown of Williamstown , who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2006, and who has been temporarily suspended from the practice of law since April 12, 2019, pursuant to the Order of the Court filed March 13, 2019, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months for violating RPC 1.1(a) (gross neglect), RPC 1.2(a) (failure to abide by a client's decisions regarding the scope of representation), RPC 1.3 (lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b) (failure to communicate with the client and reply to reasonable requests for information), RPC 1.16(d) (failure to return client file on the termination of representation), RPC 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud deceit or misrepresentation), RPC 8.4 (d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice);
And Stephanie Julia Brown having failed to appear on the Order directing her to show cause why she should not be disbarred or otherwise disciplined;
And the Court having determined that a three-month suspension is the appropriate quantum of discipline for respondent's unethical conduct and that in addition, respondent should be required to pay restitution to her client in the McLaughlin matter for counsel fees and sanctions her client incurred and for fees paid to respondent;
And good cause appearing; It is ORDERED that Stephanie Julia Brown is suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months, effective immediately, and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that Stephanie Julia Brown shall pay to her client in the McLaughlin matter the sum of $7,709, comprised of court-ordered counsel fees ($3,320), sanctions ($1,000), counsel fees for the Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) ($2,689), and the balance of attorney's fees the client paid to respondent ($700), which payment shall be made within forty-five days after the filing date of this Order; and it is further
ORDERED that Stephanie Julia Brown shall remain suspended from the practice of law pursuant to the Order of this Court filed March 13, 2019, and pending her compliance with the determination of the District IV Fee Arbitration determination in District Docket No. IV-2017-0062F, and payment of the sanction to the Disciplinary Oversight Committee, and until the further Order of the Court;
ORDERED that respondent continue to comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with suspended attorneys; and it is further
ORDERED that pursuant to Rule l: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.