Matter of Willis

Respondent comes before us in response to an order to show cause issued on the basis of the decision and recommendation of the Disciplinary Review Board (DRB) that he be suspended for one year. Although we agree with the decision that respondent’s misconduct calls for a suspension, we conclude that a period of six months is the more appropriate discipline.

Initially the matter was heard by a special master, Julius Feinberg, a retired judge of the Superior Court, whose findings provided the basis for the presentment returned by the District VI (Hudson County) Ethics Committee. Thereafter the…