Lawyers’ Fund Lists Claims Deadline

TRENTON – Anyone who intends to file a claim with the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection must do so by deadlines stated in a March 5 release by Daniel R. Hendi, fund director.
The fund’s purpose is to pay on behalf of the honest majority of lawyers for the wrongdoing of a few, according to the release.
For a claim to be compensable, the attorney against whom it is filed must have been a member of the bar, acting as either attorney or fiduciary, at the time of the incident; and unless deceased, must have been disbarred, suspended or placed on disability inactive status from the bar, or convicted of embezzlement or other misappropriation of property. The attorney’s conduct giving rise to the claim must have been dishonest rather than negligent.
The issuance of the Supreme Court’s determination to suspend or disbar an attorney activates the fund’s jurisdiction to receive claims against that attorney. There is a one-year deadline after the discipline is issued to the attorney for clients to file claims. The client’s claim does not need to be included in the ethics determination to be compensable. Discipline of the attorney does not guarantee compensability for any specific claim. Attorneys can be disciplined for conduct other than misappropriation.
An individual client can receive up to $400,000 for claims arising after Jan. 1, 2007, lesser amounts for claims arising prior to that date. The fund can provide up to $1.5 million in claims against a lawyer.
To receive a claim form, write to the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, P.O. Box 961, Trenton, N.J. 08625-0961 or call (609) 292-8008. The form must be completed notarized and returned with copies of any proof of the transaction. There is no filing fee. Claimants assisted in their claims by practicing attorneys receive their representation free of charge.
Any person having a claim that has not been filed involving the following attorneys must file a claim with the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection prior to the deadline dates indicated below: name, county of practice, deadlines are all 2014:
Anthony J. Balliette, Cape May, Nov. 19; Thomas A. Clark, Middlesex, Dec. 16; Robert James Condurso Jr., Monmouth, Dec. 4; Brian R. Decker, out of state, Dec. 23; Neil A. Malvone, Middlesex, Oct. 16; Hebert Joni Tan, Essex, Nov. 20; Christopher L. Yannon, Monmouth, Nov. 15.