Opinion
01-19-2017
In the Matter of Donald Neal LAMSON, an Attorney. (Attorney Registration No. 5174453).
Donald Neal Lamson, Washington, DC, pro se. Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany, for Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department.
Donald Neal Lamson, Washington, DC, pro se.
Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany, for Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department.
Before: GARRY, J.P., LYNCH, ROSE, DEVINE and MULVEY, JJ.
PER CURIAM. Donald Neal Lamson was admitted to practice by this Court in 2013 and lists a business address in Washington, DC, with the Office of Court Administration. By affirmation dated August 25, 2016, Lamson now seeks leave to resign from the New York bar for nondisciplinary reasons (see Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.22 [a] ). By correspondence from its Chief Attorney, the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department (hereinafter AGC) advises that it opposes Lamson's application due to its improper form.
At the time that Lamson applied to resign, this Court required that such application be made by sworn affidavit, a requirement that has been preserved in the Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters and the companion Rules of this Court (see Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.22 [a][1]; Rules of App. Div., 3d Dept. [22 NYCRR] § 806.22[a] ). While an attorney may ordinarily submit an affirmation "in lieu of and with the same force and effect as an affidavit," an affirmation may not be employed where, as here, the attorney is an applicant for direct relief from the Court (CPLR 2106[a] ). Accordingly, we agree with AGC that Lamson's application is defective in form.
However, we note that Lamson's application was submitted prior to the October 1, 2016 effective date of the Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters, wherein the affidavit requirement was first codified by the four Appellate Divisions in formal court rule. Moreover, Lamson's affirmation recited that the facts set forth therein were true and were made "under the penalties of perjury." Accordingly, under the circumstances presented, we will excuse the defect in Lamson's application and address the merits thereof.
AGC does not substantively oppose Lamson's application. Accordingly, upon reading the affirmation of Lamson dated August 25, 2016, and upon reading the correspondence in response by AGC's Chief Attorney, and having determined that Lamson is eligible to resign for nondisciplinary reasons, we grant his application and accept his resignation.
ORDERED that Donald Neal Lamson's application to resign is granted and his nondisciplinary resignation is accepted; and it is further
ORDERED that Donald Neal Lamson's name is hereby stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law of the State of New York, effective immediately, and until further order of this Court (see generally Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.22 [b] ); and it is further.
ORDERED that Donald Neal Lamson shall, within 30 days of the date of this decision, surrender to the Office of Court Administration any Attorney Secure Pass issued to him.
GARRY, J.P., LYNCH, ROSE, DEVINE and MULVEY, JJ., concur.