Michael T. McCormick, director of the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, has issued a reminder to individuals who  have been wronged by certain attorneys to file their claims promptly. The fund, designed to uphold the integrity of the legal profession, compensates clients for losses due to the dishonest actions of a minority within the legal community.

To be eligible for a claim, the attorney in question must have been a licensed member of the bar and engaged in dishonest conduct such as embezzlement or misappropriation of property. The attorney must also have been disbarred, suspended, placed on disability inactive status, or convicted of a relevant crime at the time the misconduct occurred.

The announcement comes with a definitive list of attorneys along with the deadlines by which claims must be filed:

• Sean Lawrence Branigan (Essex) - Deadline: March 8, 2025
• Amit Deshmukh (Morris) - Deadline: February 28, 2025
• Nino F. Falcone (Hudson) - Deadline: March 8, 2025
• Christopher Santo Lipari (Atlantic) - Deadline: March 8, 2025
• Joshua McMahon (Florida) - Deadline: March 4, 2025
• Nickolas C. Mourtos (Gloucester) - Deadline: April 15, 2025
• Joshua Louis Thomas (Pennsylvania) - Deadline: February 28, 2025
• John Edward Toczydlowski (Pennsylvania) - Deadline: March 22, 2025
• Bernice Toledo (Passaic) - Deadline: April 21, 2025
• Bruce K. Warren Jr. (Gloucester) - Deadline: March 8, 2025
• John T. Wynn (Essex) - Deadline: April 8, 2025

Clients affected by the actions of these attorneys can download a claim form online or request one via mail from the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection located at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex. The completed form, which must be notarized, should be submitted with any proof of transactions related to the claim. There is no filing fee, and claimants opting for legal representation in filing their claims are entitled to free legal services.

This fund represents a critical recourse for clients harmed by legal professionals, ensuring that the ethical standards of the legal profession are maintained and that victims can seek redress. Potential claimants are urged to adhere to the deadlines to ensure their grievances are heard and addressed appropriately.