IN THE MATTER OF MELVIN D. LU SANE, AN ATTORNEY AT LAW

Supreme Court of New Jersey1991-05-15

124 N.J. 31590 A.2d 191

Summary · law.co

Holding. The court adopted the Disciplinary Review Board's recommendation and publicly reprimanded the attorney, ordered him to practice under proctor supervision for two years, directed that the disciplinary record be permanently filed, and required him to reimburse administrative costs of the ethics proceeding.

An attorney admitted to practice in 1972 faced disciplinary charges for multiple professional conduct violations. The attorney failed to maintain adequate communication with a client regarding case developments, refused to withdraw from representation despite the client's explicit request to terminate the relationship, and did not file a response to the ethics complaint filed against him.

The Disciplinary Review Board recommended sanctions, which the court adopted. The attorney received a public reprimand and was ordered to practice under the supervision of a court-appointed proctor for a two-year period. Additionally, the attorney was required to pay the costs associated with the ethics investigation and prosecution.

Summary generated by law.co from the public-domain opinion. The opinion text itself is public domain.

Key issues

Failure to keep client informed of case status
Refusal to honor client's request for withdrawal of representation
Failure to respond to disciplinary complaint

Procedural posture

The matter came before the court on a report and recommendation from the Disciplinary Review Board following an ethics investigation.

Authorities cited

No cited authorities resolved to law.co cases yet.

Opinion · public domain

majority opinion

ORDER

The Disciplinary Review Board having filed a report with the Court, recommending that MELVIN D. LU SANE of NEWARK, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 1972, be publicly reprimanded and required to practice under the supervision of a proctor for two years for failing to keep his client reasonably informed about the status of the case in violation of RPC 1.4(a), for failing to comply with his client’s wish that he cease his representation of him in violation of RPC 1.16, for his failure to file an answer to the ethics complaint in violation of R. 1:20 — S(i), and good cause appearing;

It is ORDERED that the report and recommendation of the Disciplinary Review Board are adopted and MELVIN D. LU SANE is hereby publicly reprimanded; and it is further

ORDERED that respondent shall practice under the supervision of a proctor in accordance with Administrative Guideline No. 28 of the Office of Attorney Ethics for a period of two years; 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 shall reimburse the Ethics Financial Committee for appropriate administrative costs incurred in the prosecution of this matter.