Censure For False Declaration

An attorney was censured by the New York Appellate Division for the Third Judicial Department for misconduct found in a federal district court matter, which concluded that the attorney

…knowingly and in bad faith falsely stated in a declaration filed on September 3, 2010 that she was unaware of the existence of a private annuity agreement, the existence of which was critical to issues before the court, until it was provided to her on July 27, 2010.

The federal court ordered disgorgerment of certain fees and imposed a public admonishment, notwithstanding the objections filed on the attorney’s behalf.

The court precluded relitigation of the federal court findings and took into consideration the attorney’s “unblemished disciplinary record, and her commendable professional reputation, as evidenced by the letters submitted in her behalf by colleagues…” in determining sanction.

The attorney is a faculty member of the Albany Law School and was appointed as Academic Success Director.

She also was a candidate for judicial office. (Mike Frisch)