Matter of Char
2018 NY Slip Op 05408 [163 AD3d 131]
July 19, 2018
Per Curiam
Appellate Division, First Department
Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431.
As corrected through Wednesday, September 5, 2018


[*1]
In the Matter of Edward M. Char (Admitted as Edward Martin Char), a Suspended Attorney, Respondent. Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department, Petitioner.

First Department, July 19, 2018

APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL

Jorge Dopico, Chief Attorney, Attorney Grievance Committee, New York City (Kathy W. Parrino of counsel), for petitioner.

Scalise & Hamilton (Deborah A. Scalise) for respondent.

{**163 AD3d at 132} OPINION OF THE COURT
Per Curiam.

Respondent Edward M. Char was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New [*2]York by the Second Judicial Department on May 7, 2003, under the name Edward Martin Char, and all times relevant herein he maintained an office for the practice of law within the First Judicial Department.

By order entered July 18, 2007 (2017 NY Slip Op 80181[U]), this Court granted a motion by the Attorney Grievance Committee (Committee), seeking respondent's interim suspension from the practice of law based on his failure to cooperate with the Committee's investigation of three complaints, including one involving eight dishonored checks, totaling more than $56,000, drawn against his law firm's IOLA account.

Respondent now seeks an order, pursuant to Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.10, approving his resignation and disbarring him from the practice of law. The Committee does not oppose the motion.

Respondent acknowledges that the allegations against him include willful misappropriation of client funds and that he cannot successfully defend himself against the allegations based upon the facts and circumstances of his professional misconduct as described herein; and he submits his resignation freely and voluntarily, without coercion or duress, and with full awareness of the consequences, including that the Court's acceptance and approval shall result in the entry of an order of disbarment striking his name from the roll of attorneys. Respondent submits his resignation subject to any application that may be made pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90 (6-a), directing that he make monetary restitution or reimburse the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection, and consents to the continuing jurisdiction of the Appellate Division to make such an order.

The Committee does not oppose respondent's motion to resign and notes that the application is in compliance with 22 NYCRR 1240.10.

As respondent's affidavit of resignation conforms with 22 NYCRR 1240.10, respondent's motion should be granted to the{**163 AD3d at 133} extent of accepting his resignation from the practice of law, disbarring him, and striking his name from the roll of attorneys effective nunc pro tunc to April 16, 2018, the date of respondent's affidavit.

Friedman, J.P., Gische, Mazzarelli, Gesmer and Moulton, JJ., concur.

Respondent's motion is granted, his resignation is accepted and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective nunc pro tunc to April 16, 2018.