All lawyers
obligate themselves to uphold the law and abide by the Rules of Professional
Conduct adopted by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Those who violate
the standards for professional conduct are subject to discipline.
This is a
serious matter and requires proof of misconduct to justify disciplinary
action. The lawyer's action must then constitute unethical conduct before
the lawyer can be disciplined. An honest disagreement about how a case
should be handled or should not have been handled does not constitute
misconduct, even if the outcome of the case is disappointing.
Here are
a few examples of prohibited conduct, which, if proven, may be cause for
discipline:
A lawyer
cannot or will not give you money that he or she is holding on your
behalf.
A lawyer
continually fails to respond at all to inquiries about your case, to
tell you about court dates, or to appear in court.
A lawyer
advises you or anyone else to lie, or lies himself or herself in the
course of a case.
A lawyer
represents one party to a transaction while also the attorney for the
other side, unless consented upon by both parties.
Questions
in Camden County?
Contact District
IV Ethics Committee Secretary John Palm (856) 428-2056
Fee Disputes
All lawyers
are required to explain in writing to new clients the basis or rate of
the fee to be charged near the time the case is accepted. Fee matters
are not ordinarily a basis for discipline of a lawyer because they usually
do not involve questions of unethical conduct. Court rules require that
fee disputes first be pursued with a district fee arbitration committee
before being considered by an ethics committee.
Questions
in Camden or Gloucester Counties?
Contact District IV Fee Arbitration Committee Secretary Joel Schneider (856) 354-3055.
