Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M61802

E/nl

A. GAIL PRUDENTI, P.J.

HOWARD MILLER

ROBERT W. SCHMIDT

STEPHEN G. CRANE

ANITA R. FLORIO, JJ.

2007-04346 In the Matter of Blonde Grayson Hall, an attorney and counselor-at-law. Grievance Commitee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts, petitioner; Blonde Grayson Hall, respondent. (Attorney Registration No. 1973825)

DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION

By letter dated April 23, 2007, the respondent's attorney, Sarah Diane McShea, informed the court that the respondent had pleaded guilty in March 2006 to three counts of the federal misdemeanor of failure to file tax returns, in violation of 26 USC § 7203. On March 21, 2007, the Honorable Paul S. Diamond of the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania sentenced the respondent to one year imprisonment to be followed by one year of supervised release, a $20,000 fine and a $75 assessment. Counsel has also apprised the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board of the respondent's conviction. By letter dated May 9, 2007, the Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts advised the court that the respondent had been convicted of a serious crime, pursuant to Judiciary law § 90(4)(d), and that Judiciary Law § 90(4)(f) provides for a suspension by the Appellate Division upon receipt of such notice of conviction. By letter dated May 17, 2007, the respondent's counsel advised the court that the respondent recognized that her conviction for failing to file tax returns constituted a serious crime, that she voluntarily ceased practicing law and duly notified her clients, and that she consented to the imposition of an interim suspension. The respondent requested an opportunity to submit evidence in mitigation and explanation of her conduct before a final sanction is imposed. Counsel further advised that the respondent would commence serving her sentence on May 21, 2007, and requested that the court 's order reflect that her interim suspension was effective as of May 21, 2007. The respondent was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on January 30, 1985, under the name Blonde W. Grayson. On November 21, 1989, her name was changed to Blonde Grayson Hall by reason of her marriage on September 9, 1986.

Upon the papers submitted to the court, it is

ORDERED that on the court's own motion, the respondent, Blonde Grayson Hall, admitted as Blonde W. Grayson, is immediately suspended from the practice of law as a result of her conviction of a serious crime, and continuing until further order of this court, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(f); and it is further,

ORDERED that the respondent, Blonde Grayson Hall, admitted as Blonde W. Grayson, shall promptly comply with this court's rules governing the conduct of disbarred, suspended, and resigned attorneys (see 22 NYCRR 691.10); and it is further,

ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, during the period of suspension and until further order of this court, the respondent, Blonde Grayson Hall, admitted as Blonde W. Grayson, is commanded to desist and refrain from (1) practicing law in any form, either as principal or agent, clerk, or employee of another, (2) appearing as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, Judge, Justice, board, commission, or other public authority, (3) giving to another an opinion as to the law or its application or any advice in relation thereto, and (4) holding herself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law; and it is further,

ORDERED that on the court's own motion, the Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts is hereby authorized to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding in this court, as petitioner, against the said Blonde Grayson Hall, admitted as Blonde W. Grayson, based on her conviction of a serious crime; and it is further,

ORDERED that Diana Maxfield Kearse, Chief Counsel to the Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts, Renaissance Plaza, 335 Adams Street, Suite 2400, Brooklyn, New York 11201-3745, is hereby appointed as attorney for the petitioner in such proceeding; and it is further,

ORDERED that the petitioner Grievance Committee shall serve upon the respondent and the Special Referee and file with this court a petition within 30 days after receipt of a copy of this decision and order on motion; and it is further,

ORDERED that the respondent shall serve an answer to the petition upon the petitioner and the Special Referee and file the original answer with this court within 20 days after service upon her of the petition; and it is further,

ORDERED that the issues raised by the petition and any answer thereto are referred to the Honorable Stella Schindler, a former New York City Family Court Judge, 63 East Ninth Street, #8J, New York, N.Y. 10003, as Special Referee to hear and report, together with her findings on the issues, and to submit a report within 60 days after the conclusion of the hearing or the submission of post-hearing memoranda.

PRUDENTI, P.J., MILLER, SCHMIDT, CRANE and FLORIO, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

James Edward Pelzer

Clerk of the Court