In the Matter of Jay H. Morrey

This disciplinary matter is before the Court on the report and recommendation of special master Matthew Tyler Smith, who recommends acceptance of the petition for voluntary surrender of license filed by Respondent Jay Harvey Morrey State Bar No. 523494 after the issuance of a formal complaint. See Bar Rule 4-227 c. In his petition, Morrey sought to resolve the formal complaint and another matter raised in a separate grievance.

Morrey, who was admitted to the Bar in 2002, admits that beginning in 2012 he undertook the representation of various individuals on a contingency basis but failed to prepare formal retainer agreements, failed to provide the clients with any writing describing his fees or expenses, and failed to maintain adequate records regarding his fee agreements. Further, beginning in early 2014, Morrey admits that in multiple cases he appeared in court as the attorney for a party in a garnishment action, although he had strong suspicions that the individual he represented was not in fact the actual party to the case and that he undertook no investigation to dispel his suspicions. Morrey asserts that no funds were ever released improperly in these garnishment cases and that opposing counsel brought the identity issues to the court’s attention prior to the hearings. Morrey admits that, by the above described actions, he has violated Rules 1.1, 1.3, and 1.5 c 1. The maximum penalty for a violation of Rule 1.1 or 1.3 is disbarment, while the maximum penalty for a violation of Rule 1.5 c 1 is a public reprimand.