State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division Third Judicial Department Committee on Professional Standards 40 Steuben Street, Suite 502 Albany, NY  12207 Phone  (518) 285-8350     Fax  (518) 474-0389  AD3COPS@courts.state.ny.us

Mark S. Ochs Chief Attorney Michael Philip, Jr. Deputy Chief Attorney

The 21-member Committee on Professional Standards is comprised of both lawyers and nonlawyers.  With the assistance of a full time staff, the Committee reviews complaints against Third Department attorneys.  A complaint may be dismissed where found to be unproven or it may result in the issuance of a confidential educational or disciplinary letter to the attorney.  In the case of serious misconduct, a disciplinary proceeding may be commenced in the Appellate Division, which can result in the public censure, suspension or disbarment of an attorney.

The primary role of the Committee is to protect the public, deter attorney misconduct and preserve the reputation of the Bar.

The Committee works closely with the New York Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection in seeing that clients who have suffered a loss because of an attorney's misconduct in the practice of law are reimbursed.

For additional information regarding the operation of the Committee on Professional Standards, click here.