Backing off from a two-decade-old policy of suspending attorneys convicted of possessing cocaine, the New Jersey Supreme Court has decided a censure is the right discipline for a lawyer who was a model case of rehabilitation.
The court, in an order made public on Tuesday, took one step further a recommendation for lenience made by the Disciplinary Review Board, which suggested a “suspended” three-month suspension for the lawyer, Wayne, N.J., solo Anthony Filomeno, in view of his demonstrated remorse, rehabilitation and early release from a year-long pretrial intervention program. In re Anthony S. Filomeno, 06-091.
