On Wednesday, September 7, 2022, the Supreme Court of New Jersey acted on the Decision of the Disciplinary Review Board for attorney discipline against Annandale attorney Matthew William Woitkowski.
The case, titled In the Matter of Matthew William Woitkowski, was brought by the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
The charges cited Woitkowski’s violations of Rules 1.5(b), 1.8(a), 1.15(a)(b)(d), and 8.4(c), which provide:
When the lawyer has not regularly represented the client, the basis or rate of the fee shall be communicated in writing to the client before or within a reasonable time after commencing the representation.
A lawyer shall not enter into a business transaction with a client or knowingly acquire an ownership, possessory, security or other pecuniary interest adverse to a client unless:
(1) the transaction and terms in which the lawyer acquires the interest are fair and reasonable to the client and are fully disclosed and transmitted in writing to the client in a manner that can be understood by the client;
(2) the client is advised in writing of the desirability of seeking and is given a reasonable opportunity to seek the advice of independent legal counsel of the client’s choice concerning the transaction; and
(3) the client gives informed consent, in a writing signed by the client, to the essential terms of the transaction and the lawyer’s role in the transaction, including whether the lawyer is representing the client in the transaction.
According to the filing:
“The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 21-158, concluded that Matthew William Woitkowski should be suspended from practice for a period of three months for violating RPC 1.5 (b) (failure to set forth in writing the basis or rate of the fee), RPC 1.8 (a) (improper business transaction with a client), RPC 1.15 (a) (negligent misappropriation of funds),RPC 1.15 (b) (failure to promptly deliver to client or third person any funds the client or third person is entitled to receive), RPC 1.15 (d) (failure to comply with recordkeeping requirements), and RPC 8.4 (c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation;
And good cause appearing.”
Accordingly, the Court agreed with the Board’s decision.
The dispositive portion of the Order reads in part:
“It is ORDERED that Matthew William Woitkowski be suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months, effective October 11, 2022, and until the further Order of the Court;”
According to Avvo, Mr. Woitkowski attended St. John’s University School of Law. He practices in Annandale, New Jersey. He has been licensed in New Jersey and New York.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
