An Extended Course Of Misconduct

A reciprocal one-year suspension has been imposed by the New York Appellate Division for the Fourth Judicial Department based on a like sanction ordered in New Jersey

The submission of the Grievance Committee indicates that the New Jersey suspension was imposed based on a report and recommendation of the New Jersey Disciplinary Review Board (Review Board) following a hearing before a special ethics master. The Review Board found that respondent engaged in an extended course of misconduct to frustrate the rights of a judgment creditor in a judgment enforcement proceeding wherein respondent was a codefendant.

Sanction

With respect to an appropriate sanction, we have considered certain aggravating factors set forth in the report of the Review Board, including the serious and extended nature of the misconduct and respondent’s lack of remorse for the misconduct. We have also considered the matters in mitigation cited by the Review Board and presented to this Court by respondent, including that respondent did not have a disciplinary record prior to the suspension imposed in New Jersey, that the misconduct giving rise to the suspension occurred approximately 10 years ago, and that respondent has a lengthy history of volunteer and community service. Accordingly, we conclude that respondent should be suspended from the practice of law in New York for a period of one year, effective July 3, 2023, and until further order of the Court.

(Mike Frisch)