Opinion
D-96 September Term 2020 085675
06-03-2021
In the MATTER OF William J. MUNIER, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 015501991)
ORDER
This matter have been duly presented pursuant to Rule 1:20-10(b), following a granting of a motion for discipline by consent in DRB 20-320 of William J. Munier of Fort Lee , who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1991, and who has been suspended from practice since June 22, 2020, pursuant to Orders of the Court filed May 20, 2020, June 29, 2020, and October 1, 2020;
And the Office of Attorney Ethics and respondent having signed a stipulation of discipline by consent in which it was agreed that respondent violated RPC 1.1(a) (gross neglect). RPC 1.3 (lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b) and (c) (failure to communicate with client), RPC 1.5(a) (unreasonable fee), RPC 1.15(a) (failure to safeguard funds), RPC 1.16(d) (failure to protect a client's interests on termination of representation), RPC 5.3(a) (failure to supervise nonlawyer employees), RPC 5.4(a) (fee sharing with nonlawyer), RPC 5.4(b) (prohibited partnership with nonlawyer), RPC 5.5(a)(2) (assisting another in the unauthorized practice of law), RPC 8.4(b) (commission of a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects), and RPC 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation);
And the parties having agreed that respondent's conduct violated RPC 1.1(a), RPC 1.3, RPC 1.4(b) and (c), RPC 1.5(a), RPC 1.15 (a), RPC 1.16(d), RPC 5.3(a), RPC 5.4(a), RPC 5.4(b), RPC 5.5(a)(2), RPC 8.4(b) and RPC 8.4(c) and that said conduct warrants a three-month suspension from practice or lesser discipline;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that a three-month suspension from practice is the appropriate discipline for respondent's unethical conduct and having granted the motion for discipline by consent in District Docket No. XIV-2019-0580E;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having further determined that the suspension should be consecutive to the one-year term of suspension imposed by Order of the Court filed May 20, 2020;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having submitted the record of the proceedings to the Clerk of the Supreme Court for the entry of an order of discipline in accordance with Rule 1:20-16(e);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that William J. Munier of Fort Lee is hereby suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months, effective June 23, 2021, and until the further Order of the Court; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent remain suspended from the practice of law pursuant to the Orders of this Court filed June 9, 2020, May 20, 2020, and October 1, 2020, and pending his compliance with the determinations of the District IIB Fee Arbitration determinations in District Docket Nos. IIB-2018-0030F, IIB-2019-0251F, payment of sanctions to the Disciplinary Oversight Committee, 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 l:20-20(c), respondent's failure to comply with the Affidavit of Compliance requirement of Rule l: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.