On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, the Supreme Court of New Jersey issued an order disbarring attorney Dennis J. Oury. The order follows a decision by the Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Review Board that recommended disbarment.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Dennis J. Oury,” with case no. 088752.
The charges cited New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct 5.5(a)(1), 8.4(b), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d) which states:
Practicing law while suspended.
Committing a criminal act that reflects adversely on the lawyer’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer.
Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The Rules of Professional Conduct can be found here.
The DRB found that Oury had violated New Jersey attorney ethics rules by practicing law while suspended for nearly eight years between 2010 and 2018.
Oury has been suspended from practicing law in New Jersey since November 2009 due to prior criminal convictions relating to fraud and failing to file taxes. The DRB decision outlines how, despite this suspension, Oury performed over 1,900 hours of legal work for five separate New Jersey law firms during his suspension period. He engaged in activities like conducting legal research, drafting court filings and correspondence, preparing for depositions, and directly communicating with clients.
For this work, the law firms paid Oury a total of nearly $370,000 in compensation, according to the DRB. The board rejected Oury’s defense that his activities did not amount to practicing law, noting he utilized skills like legal analysis and was advising clients directly in some instances.
The DRB also found Oury violated rules by failing to modify an online profile listing himself as an attorney and referring a former client to another lawyer he worked for. Additionally, the board determined Oury misled others about being permitted to undertake legal work while suspended.
Perhaps most concerning, the DRB decision highlights that Oury continued practicing law for around ten months after being notified by the Office of Attorney Ethics in May 2017 that they objected to his petition for reinstatement on grounds of the unauthorized practice of law during his suspension period.
In recommending disbarment, the DRB expressed concern over Oury’s “effortless proclivity” to commit ethics violations whenever beneficial. In its April 3 order, the Supreme Court agreed and disbarred Oury. He will also be prohibited indefinitely from practicing law in New Jersey and required to follow rules regarding disbarred attorneys.
According to the court filing, Mr. Oury acquired his law license in New Jersey in 1975.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
