Ocean City Man Makes Attorney Ethics Panel

OCEAN CITY — A local man was one of 146 attorneys and other citizens to the state’s 18 District Ethics Committees, under the New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics.
Douglas K. Walker, of Ocean City, was named to the District I committee, which serves Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties. He was one of eight selected for that committee.
As members of the District Ethics Committees, the volunteers will be called on to perform a number of duties. All members participate in regular monthly committee meetings. Additionally, attorney members investigate grievances docketed by the committee. If their initial investigation finds grounds for a formal complaint, the matter is heard by a panel of committee members comprising two attorneys and one public member. Volunteers serve for a four-year term.
“The participation of these volunteer attorneys and public members is critical to the attorney disciplinary system and helps to ensure the integrity of the legal profession in New Jersey,” said Attorney Ethics Director Charles Centinaro. “We are fortunate that so many citizens are willing to donate their time and efforts to this important work.”
The committees are supported and overseen by the OAE, and any recommended sanction is reviewed by the state’s Disciplinary Review Board. Final discipline is imposed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, which reviews sanctions recommended from below.
The OAE maintains a comprehensive Web site, which can be accessed through the Judiciary Web site at njcourtsonline.com. In addition, clients wishing to file a grievance can call the automated OAE hotline at 1-800-406-8594. Callers need to enter the attorney’s office zip code to receive contact information for the secretary of the appropriate district committee.
The Supreme Court imposed final discipline on 148 attorneys last year. In addition, the Court issued 25 emergent sanctions to protect the public while discipline charges were pending.
Currently there are 570 volunteers serving on the District Ethics Committees. Please see the attached list for the names and hometowns of the new committee members.