Reciprocally Yours

The New York Appellate Division for the First Judicial Department imposed a three month suspension as reciprocal discipline for a New Jersey sanction

On January 30, 2017, respondent deposited $140,000 from the client into his attorney trust account, but subsequently transferred the money into his personal account. In 2018, the client became incapacitated and obtained a guardian. The guardian was ultimately unable to file for Medicaid due to the $140,000 depleted from the client’s account. Consequently, the client died in May 2019 with significant medical debt. By September 2019, respondent had paid back approximately $5,000 of the $140,000 deposit.

Separately, prior to the client’s death, respondent represented her in personal injury lawsuits related to her ownership of a bar. In the first lawsuit, respondent failed to timely respond to the plaintiff’s interrogatories, resulting in a default judgment against the client. In the second lawsuit, respondent failed to appear for mandatory arbitration, resulting in a second default judgment against the client.

Sanction

it is Ordered that the Attorney Grievance Committee’s motion for reciprocal discipline pursuant to Judiciary Law §90(2) and 22 NYCRR 1240.13, predicated upon similar discipline imposed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, is granted, and respondent Markis Miguel Abraham is suspended from the practice of law in the State of New York for a period of three months, effective nunc pro tunc to May 30, 2022…

(Mike Frisch)