3-13-2022 12:15pm

Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection Announces Deadlines for Claims Against Morristown Attorney

Michael T. McCormick, director of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, announced today that any person who intends to file a claim with the fund against any of the attorneys listed below must file prior to the deadlines listed.

Elizabeth Valandingham was charged back in 2021 in connection with a state political corruption investigation that centered on her boss, attorney Matt O’Donnell. O’Donnell pled guilty to corporate misconduct and conspiracy to tamper with records.

Between 2013 and 2017, Valandingham helped secure over $600,000 in legal work for O’Donnell’s Morristown law firm, O’Donnell McCord, by falsely stating to Mt. Arlington and Bloomfield officials, and to the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, that the firm had made no political contributions in those towns.

According to state Deputy Attorney General John Nicodemo, nearly $250,000 in donations had been funneled through “straw donors” recruited by Valandingham and reimbursed by the law firm.

Valandingham was sentenced to three years’ probation, 324 hours of community service, and forfeited her law license and was barred from seeking public contracts for a decade. She also had to pay a $75,000 “Public Corruption Profiteering Penalty,” paying $20,000 up front and $500 in monthly payments to follow.

“I made a mistake. And while I know myself, I don’t get a second chance, I pray for forgiveness from my family and my friends and I beg the court for mercy when it comes to my freedom. And I’m just so sorry that… my mistakes led to something like this.”– Valandingham said

Valandingham “basically was a good soldier,” a salaried employee who “did what was required,” from getting coffee and office supplies to “picking up (O’Donnell’s) clothes,” – Valandingham’s Attorney Anthony Iacullo.

Morristown Minute previously reported on the state investigation that led to bribery charges against five public figures: A former Morris County Commissioner, a former Mt. Arlington councilman, a former Jersey City school board president, a former state Assemblyman, and a former Morris County commissioner candidate from Morristown.

A judge dismissed the charge against the former Assemblyman, and the Morris County commissioner candidate got probation under a plea deal.

Valandingham’s Attorney Anthony Iacullo argued it was unjust of the state to seek jail time for Valandingham while other more serious offenders in the case received probation.

Any person who intends to file a claim with the fund againstElizabeth Valandingham must do so by December 1, 2022.

The fund’s purpose is to pay on behalf of the honest majority of lawyers for the wrongdoing of a few.

For a claim to be eligible, the attorney against whom it is filed must have been a member of the bar, or acting as either attorney or fiduciary, at the time of the incident; and unless deceased, must have been disbarred, suspended or placed on disability inactive status from the bar, or convicted of embezzlement or other misappropriation of property.

The attorney’s conduct giving rise to the claim must have been dishonest rather than negligent. The issuance of the Supreme Court’s determination to suspend or disbar an attorney activates the fund’s jurisdiction to receive claims against that attorney.

There is a one-year deadline after the discipline is issued to the attorney for clients to file claims.

The client’s claim does not need to be included in the ethics determination to be compensable. Discipline of the attorney does not guarantee compensability for any specific claim. Attorneys can be disciplined for conduct other than misappropriation.

An individual client can receive up to $400,000. The fund can provide up to $1.5 million in claims against a lawyer.

To receive a claim form, write to the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, P.O. Box 961, Trenton, NJ 08625- 0961, or call 855-533-FUND (3863).

The form must be completed, notarized and returned with copies of any proof of the transaction. There is no filing fee.

Claimants assisted in their claims by practicing attorneys receive their representation free of charge.

Follow Morristown Minute on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more local and state updates!