Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department

Decided and Entered: July 23, 2026

Motion No. 2026-03552|Case No. 2025-05420|

Present — Hon. Tanya R. Kennedy, Justice Presiding, Barbara R. Kapnick Martin Shulman Margaret A. Chan Shlomo S. Hagler

Disciplinary proceedings instituted by the Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department. Respondent, Christopher Scott Cardillo, was admitted to the Bar of the State of New York at a Term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for the Second Judicial Department on September 18, 2002.

Per Curiam

[*1]

Respondent, Christopher S. Cardillo, was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the Second Judicial Department on September 18, 2002, under the name Christopher Scott Cardillo. At all times relevant to this proceeding, he maintained an office within the First Judicial Department.

By motion dated June 19, 2026, pursuant to the Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.10, respondent seeks an order accepting his resignation as an attorney and counselor-at-law licensed to practice in the State of New York. In support of the application, respondent has submitted an affidavit of resignation, sworn to June 19, 2026, which largely conforms to the format set forth in Appendix A to (22 NYCRR) 1240.10. Respondent attests that he is the subject of disciplinary charges, dated December 22, 2025, pending before this Court. Respondent acknowledges that "the charges include at least the following acts of professional misconduct: that [respondent] received $15,000 in settlement funds on behalf of a client, A.C., and willfully misappropriated or misapplied $3,374.31 in funds due A.C. for [respondent's] personal benefit." Respondent also attests that that he "cannot successfully defend against the charges based upon the facts and circumstances of [his] professional conduct described therein."

Respondent further acknowledges that his "resignation is freely and voluntarily rendered, without coercion or duress by anyone, and with full awareness of the consequences, including that th[is] Court's acceptance and approval shall result in the entry of an order of disbarment striking [his] name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law" and that his resignation is "subject to any future application that may be made by a[n Attorney Grievance] Committee to any Department of the Appellate Division for an order, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6-a), directing that [he] make restitution or reimburse the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection, and [he] consent[s] to the continuing jurisdiction of the Appellate Division to make such an order."

Respondent further acknowledges and agrees that pending issuance of an order accepting his resignation, he will not represent any new clients or accept any retainers for future legal services to be rendered. He also acknowledges and agrees that "there will be no transactional activity in any fiduciary account to which [he] has access, other than for payment of funds held therein on behalf of clients or others entitled to receive them." Respondent also understands that, in the event this Court accepts his resignation, the order resulting from his application, including his affidavit of resignation, shall be deemed public records pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(10). Respondent does not consent to an entry of an order by this Court directing that he makes monetary restitution pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6-a) because he "paid A.C. all funds due to him between January 17, 2018 and March 8, 2018."

[*2]

The Attorney Grievance Committee (AGC) supports respondent's motion for resignation, noting that the affidavit is compliant with (22 NYCRR) 1240.10 and includes the requisite admissions in the form contained in Appendix A of such rule. The AGC acknowledges that respondent does not consent to the entry of a restitution order because he already paid all funds due to A.C., and therefore such an order pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6-a) is not necessary.

The AGC asserts that, in accordance with this Court's precedent, respondent's resignation should be accepted given that this Court has previously accepted resignations in cases where attorneys have acknowledged, inter alia, willful misappropriation of escrow/client funds in an affidavit that conforms to (22 NYCRR) 1240.10 (see Matter of Nussbaum, 247 AD3d 128 [1st Dept 2025]; Matter of Schwartz, 241 AD3d 41 [1st Dept 2025]; Matter of McKenna, 226 AD3d 149 [1st Dept 2024]).

Accordingly, respondent's motion pursuant to (22 NYCRR) 1240.10 for an order accepting his resignation as an attorney and counselor-at-law licensed to practice in the State of New York should be granted, and respondent's name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective June 19, 2026, the date of his affidavit of resignation.

All concur.

Wherefore, it is Ordered that the application of respondent, Christopher Scott Cardillo, to resign as an attorney and counselor-at-law pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.10 is granted, and respondent is disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys

and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective June 19, 2026, and until further order of this Court; and

It is further Ordered that, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, respondent, Christopher Scott Cardillo, is commanded to desist and refrain from (1) the practice of 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 himself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law; and

It is further Ordered that, respondent, Christopher Scott Cardillo, shall comply with the rules governing the conduct of disbarred or suspended attorneys (see 22 NYCRR 1240.15), which are made part hereof; and

It is further Ordered that if respondent, Christopher Scott Cardillo, has been issued a secure pass by the Office of Court Administration, it shall be returned forthwith.

Entered: July 23, 2026