On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the Supreme Court of New Jersey disbarred attorney Diane L. Rohrman following her convictions for multiple criminal offenses, including theft and identity theft. The court’s decision came after a recommendation from the Disciplinary Review Board, which cited her serious violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Diane L. Rohrman,” with case no. 089580.
Rohrman has been suspended from practicing law since August 23, 2022. Her suspension stemmed from a prior guilty plea related to involuntary manslaughter in Pennsylvania. The recent disbarment arose from her conviction in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, where she was found guilty of second-degree theft by unlawful taking, second-degree identity theft, third-degree access device fraud, and third-degree computer trespass.
The Disciplinary Review Board’s decision detailed that Rohrman’s actions constituted a severe breach of trust and professionalism expected of attorneys. Specifically, her criminal conduct involved exploiting her position as her father’s power of attorney to access and misuse his financial resources unlawfully. Over several years, she was found to have stolen significant funds from her elderly father, who was not financially savvy and relied on her for his financial management.
The board noted that from August 2016 to August 2019, Rohrman took approximately $169,478.76 from her father’s accounts. This included writing checks, making unauthorized transfers, and utilizing credit cards belonging to him. The investigation revealed a pattern of deceit where she disguised her actions, making it difficult for her father and family to detect the theft until it was too late.
In the court proceedings, it was established that her father, Gerald Rohrman, had granted her power of attorney in good faith, believing she would manage his finances responsibly. Instead, she took advantage of this trust, leading to her conviction and eventual disbarment.
The Supreme Court’s disbarment order mandates that Rohrman comply with the rules governing disbarred attorneys. It further instructs that any funds held in her name at New Jersey financial institutions be restrained and transferred to the Clerk of the Superior Court, pending further orders. Additionally, she is required to reimburse the Disciplinary Oversight Committee for the administrative costs incurred during the proceedings.
According to the filing, Ms. Rohrman acquired his law license in New Jersey in 2001.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
