In Re Smock

In this matter respondent misappropriated $4,500 of his client’s funds. He asserted (and, in varying degrees, proved) the complete array of mitigating circumstances which has traditionally warranted discipline less than disbarment, but which had been substantially rejected in In re Wilson, 81 N.J. 451 (1979). Respondent’s conduct, however, predated Wilson. In view of the radical change effected by Wilson, with its strict result of disbarment in misappropriation cases as compared to this Court’s treatment of such matters prior thereto, we believe it would be manifestly unfair to apply Wilson…