Far More Than A Love Tap Gets Attorney Suspended

A Rochester attorney has been suspended for two years by the New York Appellate Division for the Fourth Judicial Department for his “sexually inappropriate conduct during a pretrial conference.”

The incident took place between the respondent and opposing counsel when the justice left chambers to attend to another matter.

The attorney had denied the charges, admitting only that he had made crude and inappropriate remarks and had touched opposing counsel of her shoulder in what he characterized as a “love tap.”

The referee concluded that the attorney had exposed his genitals to opposing counsel, kissed her on the neck twice, and shoved his hands inside her blouse and bra and felt her breasts. He also made crude remarks about her anatomy.

The referee had rejected his “disingenuous and calculating” denial of the charges.

The attorney had previously been censured by the court and given a letter of caution for inappropriate behavior toward a client. He was licensed to practice in 1979. (Mike Frisch)