Matter of Vincenti

Over the past fourteen years, respondent, Lester T. Vincenti, has been the subject of no fewer than three reported decisions concerning violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Several themes run throughout respondent’s unique disciplinary history. One is disrespect, even contempt, for judges, lawyers, parties, witnesses, and the judicial process. To characterize his conduct as unprofessional, irrational, intemperate, insolent, arrogant, abusive, insulting, harassing, scurrilous, and misleading — as it has been characterized in his various disciplinary proceedings — is to minimize its impact on the administration of justice.

Respondent is currently under suspension for violations unrelated to the present matter. Nothing in the record inspires confidence that if respondent were to return to practice that his conduct would improve. Given his lengthy disciplinary history and the absence of any hope for improvement, we expect that his assault on the Rules of Professional Conduct would continue. Our *255 responsibility to the bench, bar, and the public requires that we take final and irrevocable action.

With sedulous dedication to detail, the Special Master and the Disciplinary Review Board (DRB) have documented respondent’s transgressions. Both the Special Master and the DRB have recommended that respondent be disbarred. Our independent review of the record leads us to adopt the full opinion of the DRB as our own. In adopting the DRB report, we have omitted supporting references to exhibits and the transcripts. Those omissions have led to the further elimination of some footnotes and the renumbering of others. Subject to those changes, the DRB opinion follows.

This matter was before the Board based on a recommendation for disbarment filed by Special Master Melvin P. Antell, P.J.A.D. (retired and temporarily assigned on recall). The Office of Attorney Ethics (“OAE”) filed two complaints in this matter. In Docket No. XIV-95-134E respondent was charged with violations of RPC 1.4(b) (failure to explain matter to permit client to make informed decisions), RPC 1.5(a) (overreaching), RPC 3.1 (asserting a frivolous issue), RPC 3.2 (failure to expedite litigation), RPC 3.3(a)(1) (making false statement of material fact to a tribunal), RPC 3.4(c) (knowingly disobeying a court order), RPC 3.4(e) (alluding at trial to irrelevant matters and stating personal opinions as to the justness of a cause and the credibility of a witness), RPC 3.5(c) (conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal), RPC 4.4 (using means that have no purpose other than to embarrass, delay or burden a third person), RPC 7.5(e) (using phrase “Legal Clinic” on letterhead without informing clients of lack of affiliation with a public, quasi-public or charitable organization), RPC 8.1(b), in concert with Rule l:20-3(g)(3) (failure to cooperate with a disciplinary authority), RPC 8.4(e) (conduct involving dishonesty, fi’aud, deceit or misrepresentation), and RPC 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice). In Docket No. XIV-95-406E respondent was charged with a violation of RPC 3.2 (failure to expedite litigation) and RPC 8.4(d) (engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice).

*256 Respondent was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1971. He has an extensive ethics history. In 1983, he was suspended for one year for displaying a pattern of abuse, intimidation and contempt toward judges, witnesses, opposing counsel and other attorneys. He engaged in intentional, reprehensible behavior, including insults, vulgar profanities and physical intimidation, consisting of, among other things, poking his finger in another attorney’s chest and bumping the attorney with his stomach and then his shoulder. In re Vincenti, 92 N.J. 591, 458 A.2d 1268 (1983).

In 1989, respondent was again suspended, this time for three months, for challenging opposing counsel and a witness to fight; for using loud, abusive and profane language against his adversary and an opposing witness; and for using racial innuendo on at least one occasion. He also called a deputy attorney general a vulgar name, was extremely abusive toward a judge’s law clerk and told her that she was incompetent. In re Vincenti, 114 N.J. 275, 554 A.2d 470 (1989). In 1994, respondent received an admonition for failing to comply with discovery requests in a disciplinary matter, despite repeated requests from the panel chair, and for falsely testifying at the ethics hearing that he had personally served a subpoena, knowing that to be untrue. In the Matter of Lester T. Vincenti, Docket No. DRB 94-303 (November 30, 1994).

Finally, effective March 12,1997, respondent was suspended for one year, with reinstatement conditioned on demonstration of fitness to practice law. His misconduct in that case consisted of violating the recordkeeping provisions of R. 1:21-6, negligently misappropriating client funds and engaging in conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal. In re Vincenti, 147 N.J. 460, 688 A.2d 582 (1997). He is currently serving that suspension.

There are no ethics matters pending against respondent.

I. The A.R.S. Matter — Docket No. XTV-95-13UE

The Division of Youth and Family Services (“DYFS”) filed a petition in Superior Court to terminate the parental rights of *257 J.D., 1 the natural mother of A.R.S. The matter, captioned In re A.R.S., was tried before Judge Gerald B. Hanifan. Barbara Einhorn, an attorney employed by Somersei^Sussex Legal Services, represented J.D., while a Deputy Attorney General (“DAG”) represented DYFS. In addition, James Valenti was appointed and served as law guardian for the child, A.R.S.

On September 30, 1991, the first day of the trial, respondent appeared as a “volunteer” to assist Einhorn in her defense of J.D. According to J.D., Einhorn, who was acquainted with respondent, mentioned the termination of parental rights litigation to respondent. He expressed interest in a potential federal lawsuit against DYFS for violating J.D.’s civil rights. Accordingly, respondent’s agreed role at the trial was to observe the proceedings to assist him in representing J.D. in the federal litigation. The fee agreement between J.D. and respondent provided that respondent would receive a fee only from the proceeds of the recovery, if any, in the federal litigation. Although not counsel of record, respondent took over the defense, cross-examining the witnesses called by DYFS to testify. The A.R.S. matter consumed more than forty trial days between September 1991 and May 1992.

On May 7, 1992, Judge Hanifan entered an order, on his own motion, removing respondent from participation in the case for all matters, including trial appearances, because respondent “ha[d] repeatedly been obstructive of the Judicial Process and violative of the Rules of Professional Conduct, and having caused unnecessary delay by his intrusion in this matter.” Shortly thereafter, on May 14, 1992, Judge Hanifan referred the matter to the District X Ethics Committee. 2

*258 During the A.R.S. trial, respondent was repeatedly disrespectful to Judge Hanifan. He constantly interrupted the Judge, particularly when he was ruling on objections or motions. For example, respondent interrupted Judge Hanifan by asserting that respondent’s purpose in the case “all along has been to get you to correct your mistakes as far as the defense is concerned----” Shortly thereafter, Judge Hanifan attempted to rule that neither respondent nor the DAG could contact a particular expert until his report was completed:

The Court: It goes for both sides. The only person really can talk—

Mr. Vincenti: Oh, oh certainly, I mean we, we have given so many indications of attempting to interfere with, with D.Y.F.S.’s witnesses all along.

The Court: Counsel, I’m just trying to set it, set it for—

Mr. Vincenti: My, my, my—

The Court: — for Mr. Valenti so he—

Mr. Vincenti: — we must be protected.

Furthermore, respondent accused Judge Hanifan of exhibiting bias and prejudice when the court ruled against respondent:

Mr. Vincenti: I object to your comments. It shows nothing but prejudice and bias.

The Court: Fine. Fine.

Mr. Vincenti: You make a ruling and then you decide that simply because [the DAG] doesn’t like it, you’re going to change your ruling. How many times do you think you—

The Court: That’s that’s—

Mr. Vincenti: — have to do than—

The Court: Counsel—

Mr. Vincenti: — in order to be shown on the record for the Appellate Courts in this State to be biased and prejudiced?

Respondent’s defense in the termination of parental rights case was based, in part, on his ill-founded theory that Judge Hanifan, DYFS staff, the witnesses called by DYFS, and the DAG were engaged in a conspiracy to deprive respondent’s client, J.D., of her civil and constitutional rights to custody of her child. In this regard, respondent continued his sarcastic and insulting remarks during another objection:

The Court: Counsel — hang on.

Mr. Vincenti: She doesn’t want us to develop the line to prove it because she’s involved in the conspiracy.

*259 The Court: Couns—

Mr. Vincenti: I have every right in the world to prove it even to you, Judge.

The Court: Would you. Would you let me speak counsel, please.

Mr. Vincenti: In your bias and prejudice.

The Court: Would you please let me speak?

Mr. Vincenti: I’m done.

The Court: Thank you.

Mr. Vincenti: I have the right to make statements on the record.

During his questioning of witnesses, respondent often asked multi-part questions that the witnesses were not able to answer. When Judge Hanifan requested respondent to repeat the question, the following colloquy occurred:

Mr. Vincenti: I don’t know. I think I’m using the English language.

The Court: Counsel, I asked you nicely. Don’t argue with me please. Just break it apart.

Mr. Vincenti: I’m not arguing with you.

The Court: That’s what it sounds like, counsel.

Mr. Vincenti: Well I’m sorry for that. But that’s your misperception, not mine.

Subsequently, Judge Hanifan asked a question of a witness during respondent’s cross-examination and the following exchange took place:

Mr. Vincenti: I can’t help it if the people in this Courtroom are not able to follow my questioning---- Your [sic] interfering with my conduct of this cross examination.

The Court: Yes. I am. When I, when I get confused—

Mr. Vincenti: And I object to it.

The Court: You can object all you want, counsel.

Mr. Vincenti: I certainly will

The Court: When you, when you can — will you please, counsel. That’s — you’re being rude now.

Mr. Vincenti: And so are you.

Finally, the following excerpts from the A.R.S. trial transcripts demonstrate respondent’s disrespect for the court:

The Court: Counsel, your tone is difficult for me to handle on a day to day basis.

Mr. Vincenti: I apologize for that, but your rulings in this case—

The Court: I, well I’m, I’m telling—

Mr. Vincenti: — are beyond belief.

*260 The Court: Counsel, it’s, it’s those kind of comments that, that make it difficult for me to process this matter.

Mr. Vincenti: Well then you know what, what remedies you have.

Mr. Vincenti: Oh, I’ve had my chance?

The Court: You’ve had your chance, yes, you did.

Mr. Vincenti: Oh, you permitted her to cut me off to be discourteous—

The Court: Please sit down and be quiet, counsel.

Mr. Vincenti: Objection.

The Court: Pine. I note your objection. Please sit down and be quiet.

Mr. Vincenti: You’re biased and prejudiced and you know it.

As stated above, Judge Hanifan was not the only target of respondent’s venomous attacks. Respondent’s obnoxious demean- or was also directed at opposing counsel, the DAG, and went far beyond aggressive advocacy. Respondent repeatedly accused the DAG of being a liar. For example, when the DAG objected to a statement made by respondent, the following exchange ensued:

Mr. Vincenti: You’re a liar.

The Court: Hang on counsel, please.

Mr. Vincenti: She is nothing but a liar.

The Court: Counsel—

Mr. Vincenti: And if you don’t stop it—

The Court: No, counsel, wait—

Mr. Vincenti: You’re going to stop me, right?

The Court: No, counsel—

Mr. Vincenti: Very good.

The Court: I think, I think that that’s inappropriate behavior which you’re just exhibiting.

Mr. Vincenti: Pine, make a note of it.

The Court: I am making a note of it.

Mr. Vincenti: Good.

Respondent also told Judge Hanifan “[T]his woman [the DAG] is out of her mind, Judge.” He also insulted her with the remark that “her ignorance is beyond repair, it’s monumental.” Respondent accused the DAG of having destroyed families in the Superior Court for seventeen years, apparently a reference to the fact that she had represented DYFS for that length of time. In describing *261 respondent’s conduct toward the DAG, the special master found that “he was invariably abusive, insulting and profoundly vulgar.”

Respondent’s treatment of the State’s witnesses was equally obnoxious. He was abusive and tried to intimidate the witnesses, with some success. Respondent personally attacked the witnesses during his unreasonably long and confrontational cross-examinations. He called the witnesses insulting names and belittled the credentials of the expert witnesses.

Dr. Douglas Haymaker, a psychologist, treated J.D.’s son, A.R.S. During cross-examination, when Haymaker did not immediately answer respondent’s question, respondent snapped:

Do you want time to think about it, Doctor? Because I mean there seems to be a habit in this case of witnesses who don’t know what to say to simply sit there and think and come up with some cockamamie response to a very serious question. Now I’d like you to answer the question without thinking about it ad nauseam for the next five minutes.

Respondent harassed Haymaker by asking him irrelevant questions, such as whether he was an aficionado of pornography, a militarist and whether he believed in military solutions to political problems. When Haymaker testified that a statement made by A.R.S. could not necessarily be attributed to his foster mother, respondent sarcastically asked, “Oh, it could have come from the froggies or the horsies or some other non-living thing, is that right?” Respondent also accused Haymaker of having a highly selective memory and of being “in cahoots” with the foster parents.

In reply to one of respondent’s questions, Haymaker used the word “assume,” prompting respondent to interrupt him:

A. I assume, I assume it was a work similar—

Q. No, don’t make assumptions, I mean that’s all you’ve done so far is make assumptions and speculations and give us your opinions and conclusions. I’m not interested in your opinions and conclusions, speculations or assumptions, Doctor. I’m interested in having you search your memory, think if you can come up with what was stupid, et cetera. Make your best effort, Doctor. It’s only a year ago. As a matter of fact, it’s not even a year ago. It’s eight months ago. That’s not such a long time ago. Tell us. I challenge you to tell us.

*262 Respondent’s comments were particularly inappropriate because he previously had demanded that Haymaker express his opinions and conclusions.

During the trial, respondent referred to Haymaker as a “liar,” “so-called psychologist,” “busy body do-gooder” and “so-called therapist.” He belittled Haymaker’s therapy sessions with A.R.S. as “your so-called game therapy, play therapy so-called.” Respondent accused Haymaker of condoning violence, insults to women, pornography and brutality.

Another witness called by DYFS was a social worker. At the request of James Valenti, law guardian for A.R.S., the social worker conducted a bonding evaluation to address the issue of where A.R.S. should reside permanently. The social worker, too, was the victim of harassment and intimidation by respondent. At the ethics hearing, the social worker testified as follows about respondent’s courtroom behavior:

A. The thrust of his questions as I experienced them had less to do with the content than with an attempt to demean me, to ridicule me. I felt the nature of his cross-examination was highly personalized and had very little to do with the content or with trying to uncover the truth of the issues. For example, in the voir dire, he took a tremendous amount of time asking me what specific courses I had taken when I was in graduate school. At the time that I testified, I had — it had been fifteen years since I completed my doctorate and over twenty years since I completed my Masters degree. He wanted to know the specific names of the courses I had taken. I said I couldn’t remember the specific names, but I could talk about the lands of courses I took and how they were related to the work that I was doing. He ridiculed me for the fact that I could not remember the course name and went over that over and over again.

Respondent also made insinuations about the social worker’s sexual orientation. He suggested that she inappropriately touched his client, J.D., during a bonding-evaluation session with J.D. and A.R.S. Respondent attached significance to the fact that the social worker used purple paper for taking notes in her office, despite her explanation that it was the easiest color for her eyes. Respondent even said that he would bring in an expert to talk about the meaning of using purple paper. Respondent also used sashaying and other body language to question her sexuality. As the social worker testified at the ethics hearing:

*263 The Court: Did he imply what meaning he read into this?

The Witness: My view?

The Court: Yeah.

The Witness: Given his body language, given that it came on the heels of his suggesting that I had touched his client, that there was something about my sexual orientation that was revealed by the colors of the paper and the paper clip, as well. That’s why I mentioned the body language, also, that on the heels of all of this and the context within which it was raised, certainly the implication was that there was something about my sexual orientation that he was alluding to.

The Court: Is that what came across to you? '

The Witness: Yes absolutely, without question.

In addition, respondent took the social worker’s notes from her during her testimony. He then toyed with her, refusing to return the notes. When she asked Judge Hanifan to instruct respondent to return the notes, respondent berated the judge for talking to the witness.

Unfortunately for the social worker, the conclusion of the A.R.S. trial did not signal the end of respondent’s harassment toward her. About six months after the trial ended, she and Dr. Hagovsky, another witness who had testified in the A.R.S. matter, were invited to participate at a conference sponsored by the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. There was no connection between the trial and the conference. However, in a letter to Cary B. Cheifetz, the conference coordinator, respondent contended that the social worker and Hagovsky held “Nazi views” and suggested that it would be helpfid if respondent attended the conference to denounce them. Although the letter could not be introduced into evidence because Cheifetz discarded it after receiving it, both Cheifetz and the social worker testified at the ethics hearing about the contents of the letter. While respondent complained that the letter was not produced, he did not deny having sent it. 3

As stated above, by order dated May 7, 1992, respondent was removed from the A.R.S. trial and prohibited from further partic *264 ipation in it. Respondent immediately filed an emergent motion for leave to appeal the order. On May 12, 1992, the Appellate Division denied the motion. In addition, respondent filed a motion in aid of litigant’s rights on short notice with the Assignment Judge of Morris County, Judge Stanton, seeking a mistrial and removal of Judge Hanifan from the litigation. By letter dated May 13, 1992, Judge Stanton summarily denied the motion, explaining that it was filed in the wrong forum. Judge Stanton suggested that any review of Judge Hanifan’s decisions be sought in the Appellate Division.

The A.R.S. trial was concluded following four trial days subsequent to respondent’s removal from the case. Judge Hanifan ruled in favor of DYFS, terminating J.D.’s parental rights. Although respondent did not represent J.D. and was barred from participating in the matter, he filed an emergent application with the Appellate Division seeking review of Judge Hanifan’s decision. Judge Arnold M. Stein of the Appellate Division denied respondent’s application and ordered respondent not to appear before “this or any other court in connection with this matter.” Respondent’s subsequent motions for reconsideration of the August 20, 1992, order and for recusal of Judge Stein were denied by the Appellate Division on September 17,1992.

On September 18, 1992, the Appellate Division administratively dismissed the appeal as improvidently filed. On its own motion, the Appellate Division reinstated the appeal on October 1,1992, in order to give J.D. the opportunity to prosecute the appeal through other counsel. By letter dated October 19, 1992, Emille Cox, Clerk of the Appellate Division, notified respondent of the court’s actions and the reasons therefor. Thus, respondent was aware that he had been directed by the Appellate Division not to appear in any court on behalf of J.D.

Respondent should have notified J.D. of the orders entered by the Appellate Division and should have suggested that she pursue the appeal through Legal Services or other counsel. Instead, respondent filed an appeal -with the Supreme Court, as well as a *265 motion to prohibit the Appellate Division from exercising jurisdiction over the matter. The Court dismissed the appeal and denied the motion. Subsequently, respondent filed yet another application with the Appellate Division, this time a motion in aid of litigant’s rights requesting, among other things, that the prior orders of the court barring him from appearing on behalf of J.D. be vacated, that he be named as a party appellant to permit him to appeal Judge Hanifan’s order barring him from participating in the matter and that the AR.S. trial transcripts be prepared at public expense. By order of January 14, 1993, the Appellate Division denied respondent’s motion. In light of respondent’s refusal to amend the notice of appeal to address only the May 7, 1992, order barring him from appearing on behalf of J.D., the Appellate Division dismissed the appeal.

Respondent filed another notice of appeal and a motion in add of litigant’s rights with the Supreme Court. The record does not contain an order from the Supreme Court disposing of the appeal and motion, although it is assumed that they were dismissed and denied, inasmuch as the Court referred the matter to the OAE.

In support of his appeals and motions, respondent included certifications containing the following false statements, all without any factual basis:

1. The judge had shown an inordinate interest in the well-being of the DAG, had private conversations with her, was seen driving in her car, was with her in his car and in general treated her as something more than a professional. 4

2. The judge showed favoritism toward the DAG and DYFS to the detriment of J.D. and her son and had taken it upon himself to present certain parts of the State’s case.

*266 3. The judge had complained for weeks of an inability to see, breathe, and comprehend what was going on and had failed to read and understand filed materials. 5

4. The judge had broken down on the bench and had ended respondent’s participation in the case simply because he had become red-faced, could not breathe properly and had an anxiety attack on the bench.

5. The judge had insulted J.D. on numerous occasions and permitted the DAG and DYFS to insult her over vigorous objections and made light of her poverty by permitting the Sussex County Counsel, a close friend of the judge, to belittle the defense efforts made for her.

6. The judge engaged in religious bigotry, made religion an issue in the case, referred disparagingly to the “Jewishness” of respondent’s co-counsel, Bonnie Einhorn, and permitted the DAG to insult Einhorn’s religion. 6

7. The judge insulted respondent and Einhorn, took joy at being discourteous to respondent in the courtroom and belittled the defense’s efforts to prove that J.D.’s son was not doing as well as alleged in foster care.

8. The DAG acknowledged that she kept materials relevant to the ease hidden in the trunk of her car until she was ordered to bring them to court.

In addition to the above false statements, respondent made misrepresentations to his client about the appeals and the federal litigation he was to file on her behalf. He never told her that the Appellate Division had barred him from appearing in any court on *267 the matter. Respondent did not notify J.D. that an appeal of the decision to terminate her parental rights could have been heard if she had retained other counsel. On October 14,1992, respondent wrote the following to J.D.:

Your case on appeal is now before the New Jersey Supreme Court without you having cooperated with this office in any way. Since you seem less than seriously interested in this matter, I will simply notify you of the results when and if the Court makes a decision.

Moreover, on December 14, 1992, respondent advised J.D. that the Supreme Court decided not to hear her appeal and returned the matter to the Appellate Division. That was untrue. The matter had not been returned to the Appellate Division, but dismissed outright on DYFS’s motion. No appeal on the merits was ever heard.

Respondent also misrepresented to his client the status of the promised federal civil rights litigation. Although respondent initially became involved in J.D.’s termination of parental rights case to observe the state court proceedings in preparation for filing a federal civil rights action on her behalf, no such lawsuit was ever filed. J.D. testified at the ethics proceeding that not only did respondent state that he had filed the lawsuit, but he requested funds from her for the expenses of such litigation.

In at least four separate pieces of correspondence, respondent either implied or stated directly that the federal lawsuit was proceeding. By letter of August 4, 1992, respondent told J.D., “I would anticipate actually beginning the federal case within the next week or so.” Respondent represented to J.D., in a letter dated August 19, 1992, that “I will continue on with my work for you both in the state courts in the Appellate Div. and in the federal district court in New Jersey. I will be in touch with you shortly since the situation in each of these cases is becoming critical.” Again, by letter of September 28, 1992, respondent referred to J.D.’s “cases,” implying that both the federal and state litigation was ongoing. On October 14,1992, respondent informed J.D. in a letter that “[t]he federal lawsuit is in process.” Respondent did not substantiate any of these representations, as, for *268 example, giving J.D. a copy of the complaint. The Clerk of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey later confirmed, on October 17, 1995, that respondent did not file a federal complaint on behalf of J.D.

The Special Master noted in his report that, during a conference prior to the ethics hearing, respondent admitted that he never filed the federal lawsuit, contending that he never received an affidavit of indigency from J.D. which was needed to avoid payment of the filing fee. However, there is no mention of an affidavit of indigency in any of the correspondence from respondent to J.D. To the contrary, by letter dated October 6, 1992, respondent told his client that “[t]he bills in your cases have begun to run up as I had suspected they would. For example, the filing fee alone for the federal district court complaint is $120.”

After the conclusion of the A.R.S. trial, respondent began repeatedly pressing J.D. to send him funds. During an approximate seven-month period, from May 27, 1992, through January 2, 1993, respondent sent twenty letters to his client, many of which requested payment of fees or expenses. Respondent took this action despite his awareness that J.D’s financial circumstances were such that she qualified for free legal services provided by Somerset-Sussex Legal Services. As noted above, respondent also accused Judge Hanifan of ridiculing J.D. due to her poverty. Notwithstanding respondent’s knowledge of his client’s financial situation, by letter dated March 29, 1992, he wrote as follows:

As you know, we have advisedy [sic] you for at least six months or so that certain things needed to be done on your behalf in the case, such as the subpoena of certain individuals. That sort of things [sic] requires the payment of money to process servers on a timely basis. You have admatly [sic] refused to finance this case for your own reasons____

As a client of Somerset-Sussex Legal Services, J.D. was not financially responsible for expenses of litigation, such as process-servers.

Respondent sent J.D. a retainer agreement dated July 2, 1992, concerning the federal litigation. After making changes to the agreement, J.D. signed and returned it to respondent. By letter *269 of August 19, 1992, respondent informed J.D. that all revisions were acceptable to him, except the following that she had inserted into the agreement: “This agreement would only be effective when you gain back custody of [your son].” Respondent indicated in the letter that, with the understanding that the above provision was removed, he would continue working on both the state and federal court matters.

J.D. finally paid respondent $500 with funds borrowed from relatives. When J.D. requested an accounting of the $500, respondent sent her a letter dated July 30,1992, requesting payment for the following services:

46 trial days at 8 hours per day 7 368 hours

Travel time 92 hours

Legal research 57 hours

Total 517 hours

Respondent applied an hourly rate of $250 toward a fee of $129,250 plus expenses of $125.

After sending J.D. several letters requesting payment, by correspondence dated January 2, 1993, respondent threatened to sue her for his services in the termination of parental rights trial:

Also, you may rest assured that, if our representation of you is terminated because of your continuing lack of cooperation with us, I will initiate legal action against you, personally, for payment of all outstanding amounts, including attorneys fees and advanced costs, which amount to more thna [sic] $120,000 by now in the several cases in which we have provided legal services to you.

Respondent neither filed a federal civil rights action on behalf of J.D., nor sued her for his fees.

From the beginning of the OAE’s investigation of the within grievance, respondent failed to cooperate. In reply to the OAE’s initial letter requesting a written response to the grievance, he *270 reported that his original files were in storage out of state and requested an additional two weeks, until May 1, 1995, to submit his response. By letter dated April 25,1995, to the OAE, respondent confirmed that he would be able “to forward the required items to you by the end of the first week in May.” After the OAE sent another request, he explained in a letter dated May 22,1995, that “we have relocated our offices recently and, in the midst of that process, I fell ill for about three weeks____ As I suggested to you before, the files in the underlying matter are not only voluminous but also in storage out of state.” Respondent represented that he would comply by June 5, 1995. However, the next day, May 23, 1995, in a lengthy letter responding to the grievance respondent added that “the materials you forwarded to my office and what I have available at this time constitute only a very small percentage of the file materials----” Respondent also mentioned that he had not received copies of the trial transcripts referred to in the grievance. As a result, the OAE sent the transcripts to him on May 26, 1995. On June 4, 1995, respondent stated that he would need more time to reply because “[t]here is simply no way that I could possibly review in detail the transcript materials and review the very voluminous files we have ... which are stored out of state____”

In answer to the OAE’s suggestion that respondent attend a meeting on July 13, 1995, at the OAE’s office, he sent a letter on June 16, 1995, asserting, “I cannot be available on the date you proposed since I am leaving the state in a few days and will not be returning until the second week in July.” He suggested that the meeting occur on July 27 or August 3. The OAE subsequently discovered that respondent did not leave the state, as he had represented. On June 29, 1995, he had attended a deposition in another matter in Woodbridge, New Jersey. 8 The meeting with the OAE finally took place on August 3,1995.

*271 When the OAE contacted respondent to schedule a follow-up meeting to continue the interview and requested that he bring his file, respondent replied, “As far as any file materials to be provided to your agency are concerned from my office, I am in the process of considering your requests and will inform you of my position at the forthcoming meeting.” Respondent then suggested that the materials in his files were protected by the attorney-client privilege. When the OAE requested that he produce his files by September 11, 1995, respondent replied on August 30, 1995, that he would be on vacation until September 13, 1995. Again, the OAE later learned that respondent had misrepresented his availability and was not on vacation, as he had stated. 9 Despite the representation that he would be on vacation until September 13, 1995, respondent asserted in a letter dated September 11, 1995, to the OAE that he would bring his files to the OAE’s office on September 20, 1995. By letter of September 19, 1995, he sent to the OAE eight documents purporting to be “the original file materials in my current possession.” When the OAE asked how eight documents could be considered “voluminous,” as respondent had previously represented, he replied as follows:

Insofar as your further demands for my “complete files” in the underlying matter are concerned, regrettably, you have all that is available because I have nothing else to forward for your review along these lines. I was incorrect if I gave you the impression of some files containing many thousands of pages, and if taht [sic] is how you took my use of the word “voluminous” in my prior letter, I sincerely apologize.

Despite the repeated demands made by the OAE, respondent never produced his original file in the A.R.S. matter.

During the exchange of correspondence between respondent and the OAE in this matter, the OAE noted that his letterhead contained the following designation: “The Law Office and Legal *272 Clinic of L.T. Vincenti, Esq.” Accordingly, the OAE requested that respondent provide a copy of the disclosure required by RPC 7.5(e), which states:

A law firm name may include additional identifying language such as “ & Associates” only when such language is accurate and descriptive of the firm. Any firm name including additional identifying language such as “Legal Services” or other similar phrases shall inform all prospective clients in the retainer agreement or other writing that the law firm is not affiliated or associated with a public, quasi-public or charitable organization. However, no firm shall use the phrase “legal aid” in its name or in any additional identifying language.

Respondent replied to the OAE’s request as follows:

In that regard, your request as to any 7.5 material is rejected since our “letterhead” terminology does not fall within the clear mandate of that rule’s requirements. I would suggest that you re-read the pertinent rule section and then reread my letterhead. None of the covered terms, words or phrases are contained within my letterhead. Therefore, there is no need for my office to conform to the provisions of 7.5 that you cite.

II. The Pathmark Matter — Docket No. XIV-95-4.06E

Respondent represented Louis Lombardo in two matters against Lombardo’s former employer, Pathmark Stores (“Path-mark”). One was a claim for unemployment benefits with the Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance, and the other was a wrongful termination lawsuit. Hal Crane, the grievant herein, represented Pathmark in both matters. According to Joseph F. Wobbekind, a hearing examiner with the Division of Unemployment Insurance, unemployment claim hearings are conducted before a hearing examiner and typically last about twenty-five minutes. Lombardo’s hearing lasted one and one-half hours on the first day and the better part of a day during a second session. At the unemployment claim hearing, respondent’s behavior was similar to that displayed during the A.R.S. trial. When James DiPadian, a Pathmark employee, was testifying, he handed respondent a document. Respondent literally threw it back at DiPadian. When DiPadian tried to state what had happened for the record, respondent denied the incident and called DiPadian a liar. He also called Crane a liar several times. At the ethics hearing, Wobbekind testified that, in his twenty years as a hearing *273 examiner, during which approximately 1,000 attorneys had appeared before him, he had never seen an attorney as unruly as respondent.

On June 29, 1995, Crane took Lombardo’s deposition in a conference room at Crane’s office. Respondent appeared on behalf of Lombardo. Respondent obstructed the deposition many times, constantly instructed his client not to answer Crane’s questions and repeatedly threatened to have a judge resolve minor issues that arose during the deposition. Respondent called Crane “a shill for a five billion dollar corporation — you got that right, shill for a five billion dollar corporation.” When the deposition had ended, respondent and Lombardo left the conference room. Respondent suddenly reappeared, walked over to Crane, and struck him in the torso, while calling out that it was Crane who had hit him. Both Crane and Jennifer Realmuto, the court reporter and the only other witness to the incident, testified at the ethics hearing that it was respondent who struck Crane. Although Crane ordered respondent to leave, he had to be escorted from the building by a security guard. Realmuto also testified that, during the deposition, respondent called Crane insulting names, made highly personalized objections and acted in a way she had never before seen an attorney act.

Shortly after the deposition, respondent and Crane appeared in court for a motion. Crane was seated across the aisle from Andrew Kessler, an attorney neither respondent nor Crane had previously met. Kessler testified at the ethics hearing as follows:

Mr. Vincenti came in and Mr. Crane asked him a question. His question was something to the effect of did you get a copy of the deposition transcript. And Mr. Vincenti replied, Are you talking to me? Are you talking to me? I thought you needed a bodyguard to taik to me. And then he looked over to me and said, you know, is he your bodyguard?

Kessler added that at first he thought respondent was loud and aggressive, then he had the impression that respondent was being sarcastic.

Crane explained at the ethics hearing that he had a growth on his chest that was being monitored by his physician during the *274 time that respondent struck him. Although the growth was not cancerous, respondent had torn away a part of the scab when he struck Crane, causing Crane additional anxiety. Crane testified about the effect respondent’s misconduct had on him, as follows:

[T]he whole incident was just so shocking to me that I couldn’t do any work for the balance of that day. I just was astounded at what had happened____ And quite frankly, I thought at that point, if this is what the practice of law has come to, I don’t want to be any part of it. If lawyers can’t treat each other with minimum respect and start assaulting each other, then there’s no reason for people to be attorneys, and I gave some serious thought as to whether I wanted to continue practicing law.- I certainly didn’t want to have much of anything to do with Mr. Vincenti ever again____ The 4th of July, I spent the entire time in the bedroom that I use as an office in my home and just didn’t come out. My family is upset I didn’t want to talk to anybody. I was in a very depressed mood from this.

Crane related that to avoid further encounters with respondent he subsequently engaged the services of another attorney to represent Pathmark in the wrongful termination litigation.

At the conclusion of the ethics hearing, the Special Master found that