| MATTER OF KIMBERLEY PROPEACK, AN
ATTORNEY, RESIGNOR. – Voluntary resignation accepted and name
removed from roll of attorneys (see, Matter of Manown, 240 AD2d
83). PRESENT: GREEN, J.P., WISNER, SCUDDER, GORSKI, AND LAWTON, JJ.
Filed Dec. 30, 2002.) MATTER OF RICHARD L.
BAUMGARTEN, A SUSPENDED ATTORNEY, RESPONDENT. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
OF THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT, PETITIONER. -- Order of
suspension entered. Per Curiam Opinion: Respondent was admitted to
the practice of law by this Court on February 20, 1979. He has
been continuously suspended since November 6, 1998, when he
consented to a suspension on the ground that he was incapacitated
from practicing law. This Court, by order entered June 8, 2001,
granted the motion of respondent to vacate that suspension upon a
finding that he had recovered from his incapacity and granted the
cross motion of the Grievance Committee to suspend respondent
pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1022.20 (e), based upon uncontroverted proof
that respondent had committed misconduct. The Grievance Committee
filed a petition charging respondent with acts of professional
misconduct based, in part, upon the facts that formed the basis
for respondent’s suspension. Respondent filed an answer admitting
the factual allegations of the petition and asserting, in
mitigation, that the misconduct occurred during a period of time
when he suffered from a psychiatric illness that had not yet been
diagnosed. Respondent submitted medical proof that he received
treatment for his illness, takes prescription medication, is
currently free of any symptoms of the illness and remains in
counseling. Respondent admits that he neglected numerous matters,
failed to refund promptly unearned fees and that, although he has
reimbursed several clients, he owes refunds to three clients. We
conclude that respondent violated the following Disciplinary Rules
of the Code of Professional Responsibility: DR 2-110 (a) (3) (22
NYCRR 1200.15 [a] [3]) - failing to return unearned fees to
clients; DR 6-101 (a) (3) (22 NYCRR 1200.30 [a] [3]) - neglecting
legal matters entrusted to him; DR 7-101 (a) (2) (22 NYCRR 1200.32
[a] [2]) - failing to carry out a contract of employment entered
into with a client for professional services; and DR 7-101 (a) (3)
(22 NYCRR 1200.32 [a] [3]) - intentionally damaging a client
during the course of the professional relationship. We have considered the matters
submitted by respondent in mitigation, including the fact that the
misconduct occurred at a time when respondent was suffering from a
psychiatric illness for which he has received treatment.
Additionally, we note that respondent has been suspended for a
period in excess of four years and that the period of suspension
for the preceding months was imposed based upon evidence of some
of the same misconduct that forms the basis for the charges that
are now before us. Accordingly, after consideration of all of the
factors in this matter, we conclude that respondent should be
suspended for a period of 19 months, effective June 8, 2001, and
until further order of the Court. We direct respondent to make
restitution to his clients, as set forth in the order entered
herewith. PRESENT: PINE, J.P., HAYES, HURLBUTT, KEHOE, AND BURNS,
JJ. (Filed Dec. 30, 2002.)
MATTER OF WILLIAM S. GORDON, A SUSPENDED
ATTORNEY, RESPONDENT. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE OF THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL
DISTRICT, PETITIONER. -- Resignation accepted, name stricken from
roll of attorneys and order of restitution entered. PRESENT:
GREEN, J.P., WISNER, SCUDDER, GORSKI, AND LAWTON, JJ. (Filed Dec.
30, 2002.)
MATTER OF SAMUEL A. MARINO, A DISBARRED
ATTORNEY, RESPONDENT. GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE OF THE EIGHTH JUDICIAL
DISTRICT, PETITIONER. -- Order of contempt entered. Per Curiam
Opinion: Respondent was admitted to the practice of law by this
Court on December 6, 1965. Respondent resigned from the practice
of law with disciplinary charges pending against him and, by order
entered September 28, 2001, his name was stricken from the roll of
attorneys. By notice of motion returnable June 18, 2002,
petitioner moved for an order punishing respondent for criminal
contempt of court on the ground that respondent violated the
disbarment order by engaging in the practice of law and accepting
a retainer fee. Respondent filed papers in opposition to the
motion and a Referee was appointed to conduct a hearing. The
Referee filed a report, which respondent moves to disaffirm and
petitioner cross-moves to confirm. The Referee found that
respondent accepted a retainer fee from a client in a matrimonial
matter after he had executed an acknowledgment of service of this
Court’s order of disbarment and that he failed to advise his
client that he was disbarred, instead advising the client that he
intended to resign. The Referee rejected the testimony of
respondent that he had accepted the fee before he was served with
the disbarment order and that the fee was payment for past legal
services. We confirm the findings of fact made by the Referee and
conclude that respondent’s conduct constitutes criminal contempt
of court. Accordingly, we impose a fine in the amount of $100 and
direct respondent to pay the fine within 30 days of service of the
order entered herewith. PRESENT: GREEN, J.P., WISNER, SCUDDER,
GORSKI, AND LAWTON, JJ. (Filed Dec. 30, 2002.) |