On Friday, September 6, 2024, the Supreme Court of New Jersey ordered that attorney Michael A. Gorokhovich be reprimanded for violating recordkeeping rules and failing to cooperate with disciplinary authorities.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Michael A. Gorokhovich,” with case no. 089080.
The charges cited New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct 1.15(d) and 8.1(b), which states:
Failing to comply with the recordkeeping requirements of Rule 1:21-6.
Failing to cooperate with disciplinary authorities.
The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
The Court’s order came after accepting the recommendation from the Disciplinary Review Board in their February 7, 2024 decision. In the decision, the Board had found clear and convincing evidence that Gorokhovich violated New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct.
Gorokhovich was found to have failed to properly maintain receipts and disbursement journals, conduct monthly reconciliations of his attorney trust account, maintain individual client ledgers, keep a running balance in his trust account checkbook, and retain financial records for seven years as required.
Gorokhovich was also found to have violated the rule which requires attorneys to cooperate with disciplinary authorities. He failed to provide complete financial records to the Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) on multiple requests between December 2022 and May 2023, despite being given several extensions and opportunities to comply. Gorokhovich also did not file an answer to the formal ethics complaint filed against him.
In their decision, the Board noted this was Gorokhovich’s first disciplinary matter during his 19 years as a licensed New Jersey attorney. They found his misconduct did not result in any harm to clients. As mitigation for the violations, the Board cited his clean disciplinary history.
However, the Board also noted Gorokhovich’s failure to answer the complaint or otherwise cooperate with the disciplinary process as an aggravating factor. Based on balancing these factors, the Board recommended a reprimand as the appropriate level of discipline.
In addition to the reprimand, the Court ordered Gorokhovich to complete a pre-approved recordkeeping course within 60 days, submit proof of correcting all deficiencies identified in the OAE’s audit within 60 days, and provide quarterly reconciliations of his attorney accounts to the OAE for two years. Gorokhovich was also ordered to reimburse costs associated with the prosecution of the matter.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Gorokhovich is an insurance attorney in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. He attended the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating in 2003. He acquired his law license in New Jersey in 2004.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
