Opinion
March 19, 2009.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS instituted by the Departmental Disciplinary Committee for the First Judicial Department. Respondent was admitted to the bar on November 12, 1968 at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the First Judicial Department as Thomas Patrick Burke.
Alan W. Friedberg, Chief Counsel, Departmental Disciplinary Committee, New York City ( Vitaly Lipkansky of counsel), for petitioner.
No appearance for respondent.
MAZZARELLI, J.P., ANDRIAS, SWEENY, MOSKOWITZ and RENWICK, JJ., concur.
OPINION OF THE COURT
Respondent was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the First Judicial Department on November 12, 1968. At all times relevant to this proceeding, he has maintained an office for the practice of law within the First Judicial Department.
By order entered July 8, 2008, this Court suspended respondent from the practice of law on an interim basis, pursuant to Rules of this Court (22 NYCRR) § 603.4 (e) (1) (i), based upon his failure to cooperate with the Departmental Disciplinary Committee's investigation into allegations of professional misconduct against him. Specifically, the Committee presented evidence that respondent neglected his duties as the attorney for an estate by failing to disburse the estate's assets, worth approximately $100,000, and by failing to wind up the estate as required by law.
On July 9, 2008, this Court's July 8, 2008 order of suspension was sent to respondent by first class mail at his last known address. The notice of entry mailed first class was not returned and the Committee received a signed receipt for the copy mailed by certified mail bearing the signature "Thomas P Burke."
By notice of motion dated January 15, 2009, the Committee now seeks an order disbarring respondent pursuant to 22 NYCRR 603.4 (g), on the ground that he has been suspended under 22 NYCRR 603.4 (e) (1) (i) and has not appeared or applied in writing to the Committee or this Court for a hearing or reinstatement for six months from the suspension date, which was July 8, 2008.
22 NYCRR 603.4 (g) provides, in pertinent part, that where an application for suspension pursuant to section 603.4 (e) (1) states that an attorney who is suspended and who has not appeared or applied in writing to the Committee or the Court for a hearing or reinstatement for six months from the date of the order of suspension may be disbarred, and the respondent does not appear or apply in writing for a hearing or reinstatement within such time, he may be disbarred without further notice.
Although respondent was served with the instant motion by first class and certified mail at his last known home address, he has not submitted a response.
Accordingly, inasmuch as more than six months have elapsed since the date of this Court's suspension order, and respondent has neither appeared nor applied in writing to the Committee or this Court for a hearing or reinstatement, the Committee's motion for an order disbarring respondent pursuant to 22 NYCRR 603.4 (g) should be granted ( Matter of Kennedy, 55 AD3d 169; Matter of Benzing, 51 AD3d 236; Matter of Ryans, 46 AD3d 71), and respondent's name stricken from the roll of attorneys in the State of New York.
Respondent disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective the date hereof.
Respondent disbarred, and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective the date hereof.