After Disbarment

A disbarred attorney was held in contempt and fined for post-disbarment practice by the New York Appellate Division for the Fourth Judicial Department

Respondent admits that, in late 2021, he was assisting the owner of a small business with certain financial and other business matters. The business owner resided with a companion; after the owner of the residential property threatened to evict the companion, the attorney representing the companion recommended that the business owner retain independent counsel in relation to the eviction matter. Respondent admits that he subsequently communicated with the attorney for the companion by phone and email concerning the substance of the eviction matter, including an email in early March 2022 wherein respondent provided legal advice or an opinion concerning legal strategy and offered to perform “some of the work” on a potential civil claim against the owner of the property. Shortly thereafter, the attorney for the companion ceased communicating with respondent upon learning that respondent was disbarred.

Sanction

we conclude that respondent held himself out as an attorney and engaged in the practice of law in contemptuous disregard of this Court’s order of disbarment. Accordingly, we impose a fine in the amount of $1,000 and direct respondent to pay the fine within 30 days of service of the order entered herewith.

(Mike Frisch)