On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the Supreme Court of New Jersey reprimanded attorney Nelson Gonzalez for ethics violations related to his handling of a client’s immigration case.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Nelson Gonzalez,” with case no. 090475.
The decision followed a Disciplinary Review Board (DRB) recommendation that Gonzalez be disciplined for failing to communicate adequately with a client, not explaining matters sufficiently, and neglecting to protect the client’s interests upon ending representation.
Gonzalez was found to have violated Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) 1.4(b), 1.4(c), and 1.16(d). These violations stemmed from his representation of a client, identified as A.C., who hired him in August 2018 to assist with adjusting immigration status under the Cuban Adjustment Act. The client had faced prior application denials due to a 2004 marijuana possession charge in Florida. Gonzalez met with A.C. several times, receiving $2,500 in payments, including a $1,500 advance for future work. However, after a February 2019 meeting, Gonzalez did no further work on the case and failed to communicate with A.C. until October 2020, when he sent a letter stating the case was closed. The DRB found this letter indicated the termination of representation, yet Gonzalez retained the $1,500 advance until May 2023, after A.C. filed a grievance.
The DRB determined that Gonzalez did not adequately inform A.C. about the case’s status or explain the need to address the Florida conviction, leaving A.C. unaware of critical steps. Additionally, Gonzalez failed to notify A.C. of his May 2020 suspension from practicing law, a violation compounded by his submission of a sworn affidavit claiming compliance with notification requirements. The DRB also noted that Gonzalez improperly held client funds in an office safe rather than a designated New Jersey financial institution account.
This reprimand marks Gonzalez’s fifth disciplinary action since 2019. Previously, he faced a three-month suspension in May 2020. In October 2020, he was censured for a lack of diligence and communication failures. A six-month suspension followed in April 2023 for similar issues, and another three-month suspension was imposed in April 2024. Gonzalez also received reciprocal discipline in the District of Columbia in July 2024.
The DRB considered aggravating factors, including Gonzalez’s disciplinary history, his lack of remorse, and the vulnerability of his immigration client. In mitigation, Gonzalez refunded the $1,500 to A.C., serves a primarily Spanish-speaking community, and participates in church and community volunteer work.
Despite the DEC’s recommendation for a six-month suspension, the DRB concluded a reprimand was sufficient, citing precedent where similar violations warranted lighter sanctions.
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Gonzalez is a criminal defense attorney in Dover, New Jersey. He acquired his law license in New Jersey in 1997.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
