Opinion
2015-07-23
In the Matter of Joseph C. LANE, a Suspended Attorney.
Lahtinen, J.P., Egan Jr., Rose and Devine, JJ., concur.
Monica A. Duffy, Committee on Professional Standards, Albany (Alison M. Coan of counsel), for Committee on Professional Standards.
Joseph C. Lane was admitted to practice by this Court in 1993 after being admitted in New Jersey in 1992. He currently practices law in New Jersey.
Effective October 24, 2009, Lane was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law by this Court due to his failure to comply with attorney registration requirements since 1999 ( see Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a, 65 A.D.3d 1447, 1457, 885 N.Y.S.2d 441 [2009] ). He remains so suspended.
By order issued September 24, 2014, the Supreme Court of New Jersey censured Lane for failing to safeguard client funds, failing to promptly deliver funds to a client or third person and engaging in a conflict of interest by concurrently representing two clients despite the risk of conflicting interests (Matter of Lane, 219 N.J. 321, 98 A3d 573, 98 A.3d 573 [2014] ). The Committee on Professional Standards now moves for an order imposing discipline upon Lane pursuant to this Court's rules as a result of the discipline imposed in New Jersey ( see Rules of App.Div., 3d Dept. [22 NYCRR] § 806.19). Lane has not replied to the Committee's motion or otherwise raised any available defenses ( see Rules of App.Div., 3d Dept. [22 NYCRR] § 806.19 [d] ); therefore, we grant the Committee's motion ( see Matter of Halbfish, 78 A.D.3d 1320, 1321, 909 N.Y.S.2d 675 [2010] ).
Turning to the issue of an appropriate disciplinary sanction, we note the presence of aggravating circumstances herein, including, among other things, Lane's failure to respond to the subject motion and his longstanding delinquency in this state with respect to his biennial attorney registration obligation. Accordingly, under all the facts and circumstances presented, and especially noting Lane's evident disregard for his fate as an attorney in this state, we conclude that he should be suspended for a period of six months ( see e.g. Matter of Weil, 109 A.D.3d 1019, 1019–1020, 971 N.Y.S.2d 66 [2013]; Matter of Dahl, 108 A.D.3d 1009, 1010, 968 N.Y.S.2d 911 [2013]; Matter of Halbfish, 78 A.D.3d at 1321, 909 N.Y.S.2d 675). We further direct that said suspension will take effect and commence at such time as Lane applies for and is granted reinstatement following his current indefinite suspension for attorney registration delinquency ( see Matter of Chan, 126 A.D.3d 1111, 1112, 2 N.Y.S.3d 378 [2015] ).
ORDERED that the motion of the Committee on Professional Standards is granted; and it is further
ORDERED that Joseph C. Lane is suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months, effective at such time as Lane is reinstated following his current suspension, and until further order of this Court; and it is further
ORDERED that, for the period of suspension, Joseph C. Lane is commanded to continue to desist and refrain from the practice of law in any form, either as principal or as agent, clerk or employee of another; and Lane is forbidden to appear as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, judge, justice, board, commission or other public authority, or to give to another an opinion as to the law or its application, or any advice in relation thereto; and it is further
ORDERED that Joseph C. Lane shall comply with the provisions of this Court's rules regulating the conduct of suspended attorneys ( see Rules of App.Div., 3d Dept. [22 NYCRR] § 806.9).