Notice - Disciplinary Review Board - Default Scheduled for Review.

NOTICE TO THE BAR

DEFAULT SCHEDULED FOR REVIEW
BY THE DISCIPLINARY REVIEW BOARD
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022

The following matter has been certified to the Disciplinary Review Board as default, in accordance with R. 1:20-4(f): 

In the Matter of Neal E. Brunson
Docket No. DRB 22-149 
District Docket No. XIV-2021-0341E

This matter is scheduled to be reviewed by the Board on Thursday, November 17, 2022. R. 1:20-4(f) provides that an attorney-respondent's failure to timely file an answer “shall be deemed an admission that the allegations of  the complaint are true and . . . provide sufficient basis for the imposition of discipline.” Although chances for a successful motion are limited, a motion to vacate the default may be filed with the Board by no later than October 11, 2022. MOTIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE BOARD. The motion should specify why the attorney-respondent failed to file a timely answer (including lack of notice) and should set forth any claimed meritorious defenses to the ethics charge.  The motion must also be simultaneously served on the Director of the Office of Attorney Ethics and, where appropriate, the district ethics committee responsible for the underlying ethics matter. A certification regarding that service must accompany any documents filed with the Board. 

The respondent is hereby advised that, generally, in a default matter, the discipline is enhanced to reflect a respondent’s failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities as an aggravating factor. In re Kivler, 193 N.J. 332, 338 (2008). 

Respondent may communicate with the Board by contacting the Office of Board Counsel at: P.O. Box 962, Trenton, NJ 08625, Telephone: 609-815-2920, E-Mail: DRB.MBX@njcourts.gov.