On Friday, May 16, 2025, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania suspended attorney Richard Joseph Silverberg from practicing law in the Commonwealth for five years. The decision followed a report and recommendation from the Disciplinary Board, which found that Silverberg violated multiple Rules of Professional Conduct in connection with his actions in several legal proceedings.
The case is entitled “Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Richard Joseph Silverberg,” with case no. 172 DB 2023.
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed a Petition for Discipline against Silverberg on December 6, 2023, charging him with violations of Rules of Professional Conduct 3.1, 3.3(a)(1), 3.4(a), 8.2(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(d). These charges stemmed from allegations that Silverberg made statements impugning the integrity of Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Joshua H. Roberts, failed to comply with multiple discovery orders issued by Judge Roberts, and did not appear for scheduled contempt hearings.
Silverberg filed an answer to the Petition for Discipline on January 29, 2024, alleging a conspiracy to prevent him from publishing a book about corporate misconduct. He also filed a federal lawsuit on March 4, 2024, naming 29 defendants, including the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, Chief Disciplinary Counsel Thomas J. Farrell, and Disciplinary Counsel Richard Hernandez.
A Hearing Committee held a disciplinary hearing on May 1 and 2, 2024. Despite notice, Silverberg did not appear. The Office of Disciplinary Counsel presented six witnesses, including Judge Roberts, Judge Daniel J. Anders, and Philadelphia Law Department attorneys, along with 158 exhibits. On October 8, 2024, the Committee concluded that Silverberg violated the charged rules and recommended a five-year suspension. Silverberg filed a brief on exceptions, claiming due process violations, but the Disciplinary Board rejected these arguments.
The Board’s findings, issued on January 23, 2025, determined that Silverberg made false and frivolous statements about Judge Roberts’ integrity in pleadings and correspondence, lacked a good faith basis for these claims, and obstructed the City’s access to evidence by failing to comply with discovery orders. The Board noted Silverberg’s failure to appear at the disciplinary hearing and lack of remorse as aggravating factors, balanced by his lack of prior discipline as a mitigating factor.
The Supreme Court’s order requires Silverberg to comply with Pennsylvania Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement 217 and to pay the costs of the investigation and prosecution. The suspension takes effect immediately, barring Silverberg from practicing law in Pennsylvania for five years.
The Disposition states:
“AND NOW, this 16th day of May, 2025, the Motion for Leave to File Amended Petition for Review is granted upon consideration of the Report and Recommendations of the Disciplinary Board, as well as the Amended Petition for Review, Richard Joseph Silverberg is suspended from the Bar of this Commonwealth for a period of five years.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Silverberg is a litigation attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Yeshiva University, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, graduating in 1984. He acquired his law license in Pennsylvania in 1986.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
