Federal Conviction, State Disbarment

The New York Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department ordered disbarment of an attorney who had pleaded guilty to one court of possession of child pornography in the Southern District of New York. Automatic disbarment was deemed appropriate because the elements of the federal offense are “essentially similar” to a class E felony under state law. The court looked to the circumstances of the offense by examining the admissions made in connection with the guilty plea in reaching its conclusion. (Mike Frisch)