Opinion
D-156 September Term 2019 084634
09-24-2020
In the MATTER OF Phillip Francis DRINKWATER, III, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 010561992)
ORDER
The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 19-362, concluding that Phillip Francis Drinkwater, III, formerly of Pennsauken, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1992, and who was transferred to disability inactive status by consent pursuant to Rule 1:20-12 by order filed July 1, 2015, and who has been temporarily suspended from practice since April 14, 2017, by Order of this Court filed March 15, 2017, should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months for unethical conduct in multiple client matters, including numerous violations of RPC 1.1(a) (gross neglect), RPC 1.1(b) (pattern of neglect), RPC 1.3 (lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b) (failure to keep client reasonably informed about the status of matter and to comply promptly with reasonable requests for information), RPC 1.5(a) (unreasonable fee), and RPC 5.3(a) (failure to supervise non-attorney staff);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Phillip Francis Drinkwater, III, is suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months, effective immediately, and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent shall remain suspended from the practice of law pursuant to the Order of this Court filed March 15, 2017, and pending his compliance with the determination of the District IV Fee Arbitration determination in District Docket No. IV-2014-0090F and payment of the sanction to the Disciplinary Oversight Committee, and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent continue to comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with suspended attorneys and incapacitated 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.