On Monday, October 2, 2023, the Supreme Court of New Jersey issued an order disbarring James R. Lisa, a former attorney from Jersey City, from practicing law in the state. The disbarment was based on Lisa’s consent to the disbarment and was effective immediately.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of James R. Lisa,” case no. 088672.

The consent to disbarment came after Lisa was accused in August 2023 of forging his attorney’s signature, which thereafter got him suspended from practicing law on August 18, 2023. This allegation was made in addition to the charges of bilking a client out of $2 million, which were filed in January 2023.

Lisa was arrested and charged with three counts of wire fraud and four counts of aggravated identity theft on January 15, 2023. According to the charges, Lisa allegedly defrauded clients by taking money from them and using it for his own personal expenses. He also allegedly forged documents and lied to clients in order to cover up his actions.

In light of these allegations, the Supreme Court of New Jersey ordered Lisa’s disbarment by consent, and that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys. Lisa was also permanently restrained and enjoined from practicing law. The order further directs that all funds currently existing or hereinafter deposited in any New Jersey financial institution maintained by Lisa pursuant to Rule 1:21-6 shall be transferred by the financial institution to the Clerk of the Superior Court, who is directed to deposit the funds in the Superior Court Trust Fund pending further Order of the Court.

Lisa was also directed to comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with disbarred attorneys. The entire record of this matter is made a permanent part of Lisa’s file as an attorney at law of this State. Finally, the order directed Lisa to reimburse the Disciplinary Oversight Committee for appropriate administrative costs and actual expenses incurred in the prosecution of this matter, as provided in Rule 1:20-17.

Before his disbarment, Mr. James R. Lisa practiced as a criminal defense attorney in New Jersey. He acquired his law license in New Jersey in 1984.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.