On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of New Jersey suspended attorney AnnMarie F. De Primo from practicing law for three months following a Disciplinary Review Board (DRB) recommendation. De Primo faced discipline for multiple violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC).

The case is entitled “In the Matter of AnnMarie F. De Primo,” with case no. 090403.

The DRB, in its February 28, 2025, decision (DRB 24-207), found De Primo, formerly of Somerville, New Jersey, violated several ethical standards. These included failing to promptly disburse client funds, neglecting recordkeeping requirements, practicing law while administratively ineligible, failing to cooperate with disciplinary authorities on two occasions, and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. The decision stemmed from a formal ethics complaint certified by the Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) after De Primo did not respond, resulting in a default proceeding.

De Primo’s troubles began with her administrative ineligibility to practice law, declared on October 5, 2020, for nonpayment of the annual assessment to the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. Additional ineligibility rulings followed on November 9, 2020, for failing to comply with Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program requirements, and on November 16, 2020, for not meeting continuing legal education (CLE) obligations. Despite these restrictions, De Primo handled disbursements in 18 real estate transactions between October 30, 2020, and May 25, 2022, using her attorney trust account (ATA), actions deemed unauthorized practice of law.

The OAE initiated an investigation after selecting De Primo for a random audit in February 2023. She failed to attend scheduled audits on March 9 and May 31, 2023, and did not respond to multiple OAE requests for financial records. On August 29, 2023, she missed another audit, citing a personal mediation conflict, but the OAE denied her extension request due to her prolonged non-cooperation. The OAE’s review of her bank records revealed $19,981 held in her ATA, owed to two clients from real estate transactions, which she failed to disburse despite directives. Additionally, she did not maintain required financial records, such as client ledgers, receipts, disbursement journals, and monthly ATA reconciliations.

De Primo’s non-cooperation led to a temporary suspension on March 27, 2024, which remains in effect. The Supreme Court’s May 6, 2025, suspension order mandates that she complete a recordkeeping course approved by the OAE and submit all requested financial records within 60 days. Upon reinstatement, she must practice under a proctor’s supervision for two years and comply with rules governing suspended attorneys. She is also required to reimburse the Disciplinary Oversight Committee for administrative costs and expenses related to the case.

This is not De Primo’s first disciplinary action. In June 2022, she received a censure for lacking diligence, failing to communicate with a client, not cooperating with a prior investigation, and conduct prejudicial to justice, also in a default proceeding. The DRB noted her failure to learn from past disciplinary encounters as an aggravating factor, justifying the three-month suspension over a lesser penalty.

The Disposition states:

“It is ORDERED that AnnMarie F. De Primo is hereby suspended from the practice of law for a period of three months, and until further order of the Court, effective immediately.”

According to Avvo.com, Ms. De Primo is an attorney in Somerville, New Jersey. She acquired her law license in New Jersey in 2006.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.