In re Zuvich, 204 A.3d 253, 237 N.J. 253 (2019)

March 22, 2019 · New Jersey Court of Errors and Appeals · D-62 September Term 2018; 082266

204 A.3d 253, 237 N.J. 253

In the MATTER OF Richard N. ZUVICH, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 013231980)

D-62 September Term 2018
082266

Supreme Court of New Jersey.

March 22, 2019

CORRECTED ORDER

The Disciplinary Review Board having filed with the Court its decision in DRB 18-224 and DRB 18-280, recommending on the records certified to the Board pursuant to Rule 1:20-4(f)(default by respondent) that Richard N. Zuvich of Colonia, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1980 and who has been suspended from the practice of law since May 31, 2018, be disbarred for violating RPC 1.15(a) and the principles of In re Wilson, 81 N.J. 451, 409 A.2d 1153 (1979) and In re Hollendonner, 102 N.J. 21, 504 A.2d 1174 (1985) (knowing misappropriation); RPC 1.15(a) (failure to safeguard funds); RPC 1.15(b) (failure to promptly notify a client or third person of receipt of funds and failure to promptly disburse funds that a client or third person is entitled to receive);

RPC 5.5(a)(1) (unauthorized practice of law); RPC 8.1(b) (failure to cooperate with disciplinary officials); RPC 8.4(b) (criminal act that reflects adversely on a lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer in other respects); RPC 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation); and RPC 8.4(d) and Rule 1:20-20(conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice);

And said Richard N. Zuvich having been ordered to show cause why he should not be disbarred or otherwise disciplined and having failed to appear before the Court;

And good cause appearing;

It is ORDERED that Richard N. Zuvich be disbarred, effective immediately, and that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys;

ORDERED that Richard N. Zuvich be and hereby is permanently restrained and enjoined from practicing law; and it is further

ORDERED that all funds, if any, currently existing or hereinafter deposited in any New Jersey financial institution maintained by Richard N. Zuvich pursuant to Rule 1:21-6 be restrained from disbursement except on application to this Court, for good cause shown, and shall be transferred by the financial institution to the Clerk of the Superior Court, who is directed to deposit the funds in the Superior Court Trust Fund pending further Order of this Court; and it is further

ORDERED that Richard N. Zuvich comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with disbarred attorneys; and it is further

ORDERED that the entire record of this matter be made a permanent part of respondent's file as an attorney at law of this State; and it is further

ORDERED that respondent reimburse the Disciplinary Oversight Committee for appropriate administrative costs and actual expenses incurred in the prosecution of this matter, as provided in Rule 1:20-17.