Wish Fulfilled

An attorney who responded to a disciplinary investigation by stating “So go ahead and disbar me” had that wish granted by the New York Appellate Division for the First Judicial Department.

The Committee commenced a sua sponte investigation into respondent’s conduct after receiving a a Cease and Desist order and a copy of an SEC complaint against respondent concerning her role as a transaction manager within an investment banking entity that misled investors in a collateralized debt deal during the housing market crisis. Although respondent eventually made contact with the Disciplinary Committee during the investigation, she made affirmative statements that she would not answer the complaint as directed; she would not participate in its investigation; and she invited the Committee to suspend or disbar her.

The court’s previously ordered interim suspension matured into disbarment for failure to respond.

New York has a very effective way of dealing with non-participating attorneys

Disbarment is warranted here because more than six months has elapsed since this Court’s June 5, 2014 suspension order and respondent has not appeared nor applied in writing to the Committee or this Court for a hearing or reinstatement. 

(Mike Frisch)