On Friday, July 12, 2024, the Supreme Court of New Jersey issued an order reinstating attorney Mark William Ford to the practice of law after a one-year suspension.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Mark William Ford,” with case no. 089619.
Ford had faced ethics charges stemming from a bankruptcy case he handled on behalf of a client in 2019. According to a June 2022 decision by the New Jersey Disciplinary Review Board, Ford filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition and accompanying documents for his client, Margaret Schemelia, who falsely stated she still owned a property when he knew the property was in foreclosure and had already been transferred to the mortgage lender.
The Disciplinary Review Board found Ford had violated New Jersey ethics rules prohibiting frivolous litigation, false statements to a tribunal, and conduct involving dishonesty or misrepresentation. They recommended a one-year suspension given Ford’s history of prior discipline for similar issues dating back to 1997.
Ford had a history of six prior disciplinary matters with progressive discipline ranging from an admonition to two censures. He also received court-imposed sanctions in two separate bankruptcy cases for filing petitions deemed to be in bad faith. However, he maintained he had not committed any ethics violations.
In its 2022 decision, the Disciplinary Review Board noted Ford’s “willingness to make misrepresentations not only to clients but also to the court and public agencies” as the “most troubling aspect” of his behavior. They also emphasized he failed to show any remorse and sought to deflect blame on his elderly client. Due to aggravating factors like his failure to appreciate the gravity of his misconduct and prior significant disciplinary record, the Board voted for a one-year suspension.
The New Jersey Supreme Court accepted the Board’s recommendation and suspended Ford from practicing law for one year starting January 9, 2023.
Following the completion of his suspension, Ford applied for reinstatement. On July 12, 2024, the Court issued an order reinstating him, while also requiring him to practice under supervision for two years as a condition of his reinstatement.
According to avvo.com, Mr. Ford is an attorney in Gloucester City, New Jersey. He acquired his law license in New Jersey in 1983.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
