Opinion
D-140 September Term 2019 084607
08-11-2020
In the MATTER OF Megan A. NATKOW, An Attorney At Law (Attorney No. 064462014)
ORDER
This matter having been duly presented pursuant to Rule 1:20-10(b), following a granting of a motion for discipline by consent in DRB 20-062 of Megan A. Natkow of Somerset, who was admitted to the bar of this State in 2014;
And the District XIII Ethics Committee and respondent having signed a stipulation of discipline by consent in which it was agreed that respondent violated RPC 1.3 (lack of diligence), RPC 1.4(b) (failure to communicate with client), RPC 4.1(a)(1) (false statement to a third person), RPC 8.4(a) (attempt to violate the RPCs, knowingly assist or induce another to so, or to do so through the acts of another); and RPC 8.4(c) (conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation);
And the parties having agreed that respondent's conduct violated RPC 1.3, RPC 1.4(b), RPC 4.1(a)(1), RPC 8.4(a) and RPC 8.4(c), and that said conduct warrants a suspension from practice of six months, or lesser discipline;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined to dismiss the charged violation of RPC 8.4(a) ;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having determined that a six-month suspension from the practice of law is the appropriate discipline for respondent's unethical conduct and having granted the motion for discipline by consent in District Docket No. XIII-2019-0043E;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having further determined that respondent should be required to complete two courses in ethics approved by the Office of Attorney Ethics within ninety days after the Order of the Court, and that prior to reinstatement to practice, respondent should be required to submit proof of her fitness to practice as attested to by a mental health professional approved by the Office of Attorney Ethics;
And the Disciplinary Review Board having submitted the record of the proceedings to the Clerk of the Supreme Court for the entry of an order of discipline in accordance with Rule 1:20-16(e);
And good cause appearing;
It is ORDERED that Megan A. Natkow of Somerset is hereby suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months, effective September 9, 2020; and it is further
ORDERED that within ninety days after the filing date of this Order, respondent shall complete two courses in ethics approved by the Office of Attorney Ethics and submit proof of her successful completion thereof to the Office of Attorney Ethics, and prior to reinstatement to practice, respondent shall submit to the Office of Attorney Ethics proof of her fitness to practice law as attested to by a mental health professional approved by the Office of Attorney Ethics; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent comply with Rule 1:20-20 dealing with suspended attorneys; and it is further
ORDERED that pursuant to Rule 1:20-20(c), respondent's failure to comply with the Affidavit of Compliance requirement of Rule 1:20-20(b)( 15) may (1) preclude the Disciplinary Review Board from considering respondent's petition for reinstatement for a period of up to six months from the date respondent files proof of compliance; (2) be found to constitute a violation of RPC 8.1(b) and RPC 8.4(d) ; and (3) provide a basis for an action for contempt pursuant to Rule 1:10-2; 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.