On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the Supreme Court of New Jersey reprimanded attorney Richard Donnel Robinson for his lack of diligence involving his failure to attend several of his client’s hearings. It was also alleged that the respondent failed to present relevant arguments on the client’s behalf.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Richard Donnel Robinson” and was brought by District III B Ethics Committee with case no. 087439.

The charges cited New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.4(c), and 8.1(b) which state:

Gross neglect.

Lack of diligence.

Failure to inform a prospective client of how, when, and where the client may communicate with the attorney.

Failure to explain a matter to the extent reasonably necessary permits the client to make an informed decision.

Failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities.

The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.

In a decision, dated August 23, 2022, it was alleged that a client of the respondent filed a grievance against the latter, claiming that he failed to appear in court on a few scheduled court dates, present significant evidence and arguments on her behalf to the court, and filed an appeal of the unfavorable determination for her matter. Moreover, the complaint further charged the respondent with failing to cooperate with the disciplinary authorities in the investigation of his grievance.

The filing states:

“Thereafter, on April 7, 2020, the investigator followed up with the respondent by e-mail, seeking his reply to the February 27, 2020 letter. Respondent replied that same date, via e-mail, stating that he had been away from his office, which had closed, with mail being forwarded to his home address. Despite having signed the February 27, 2020 letter, the respondent denied having received that letter and requested that another copy be sent to him. Later that same date, the investigator’s assistant sent another copy of the February 27, 2020 letter to the respondent by e-mail.”

The filing continues:

“Between December I and December 8, 2020, the second investigator left additional voicemail messages for the respondent, which he ignored. Therefore, on On December 8, 2020, the second investigator sent a third letter to the respondent, at his home address, by certified and regular mail, enclosing the grievance against him.”

In imposing the appropriate sanction, the disciplinary review board stated that generally, in default matters, a reprimand is imposed for lack of diligence, failure to communicate with clients, and failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities, even if the conduct is accompanied by other ethics infractions, such as gross negligence. Along with the factual findings, and one other allegation stated in the decision wherein the respondent violated the same conduct, the court agreed with the board to reprimand the respondent.

The Disposition states:

“It is ORDERED that Richard Donnell Robinson is hereby reprimanded, 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.”

Mr. Robinson practices in Mount Holly, New Jersey. He is licensed in New Jersey. His info can be found on lawyer.com.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.