Copywrong

Reciprocal discipline imposed by the New York Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department was raised from a four-year suspension to disbarment

The Committee on Grievances for the Southern District of New York (hereinafter the Committee on Grievances) filed an Amended Statement of Charges, dated April 22, 2021, and the respondent filed a declaration, executed on December 28, 2021, admitting to the charges, and consenting to the Committee on Grievances entering an order of suspension for a period of four years, nunc pro tunc to November 30, 2020. By order dated April 22, 2022, the District Court found that the respondent engaged in a pattern and practice of failing to comply with court orders and making false statements to the court in 14 federal lawsuits, in violation of the above mentioned Rules of Professional Conduct, to be discussed in detail below.

The respondent was a founder and former principal of Liebowitz Law Firm, PLLC (hereinafter LLF). Since the inception of LLF in or about 2015, the respondent engaged in high-volume litigation practice, mainly representing photographers for copyright infringement of their photographs on a contingency basis. At the start of the disciplinary proceedings in the District Court, the respondent had initiated approximately 2,500 federal cases. 

The opinion details findings of misconduct in a host of federal court matters leading to a sanction

the Committee on Grievances determined that a four-year suspension, nunc pro tunc to November 30, 2020, was an appropriate and suitable sanction to be imposed on the respondent. The respondent consented to the sanction.

Here

Under the totality of the circumstances, including the considerable pattern and practice of failing to comply with court directives and making false statements to the court, we find that a disbarment is warranted 

(Mike Frisch)