Mortgage Foreclosure Attorney Reprimanded

The New Jersey Supreme Court imposed a reprimand of an attorney who used pre-signed forms in bankruptcy and state court proceedings. The court followed the recommendation of its Disciplinary Review Board (“DRB”).

The attorney was a partner in a New Jersey firm that was part of a national network of attorneys primarily engaged in the business of processing mortgage loan defaults. The business is owned and controlled by two Illinois lawyers.The use of the pre-signed documents also drew a sanction from bankruptcy courts.

The DRB noted that an associate attorney that respondent had failed to properly supervise was admonished for the misconduct. The attorney had no other discipline and the practice had ceased many years ago. (Mike Frisch)