Opinion
2019-13644
04-02-2020
In the Matter of Richard G. Martin, an attorney and counselor-at-law. Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District, petitioner; Richard G. Martin, respondent.
ALAN D. SCHEINKMAN, P.J. WILLIAM F. MASTRO REINALDO E. RIVERA MARK C. DILLON RUTH C. BALKIN, JJ. (Attorney Registration No. 4018826)
MOTION by the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District to strike the respondent's name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(b), based upon his felony convictions. The respondent was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on January 23, 2002.
Catherine A. Sheridan, Hauppauge, NY (Rachel Merker of counsel), for petitioner. PER CURIAM
OPINION & ORDER
. On May 6, 2019, the respondent pleaded guilty before the Honorable Stephen Braslow, in the County Court, Suffolk County, to the crimes of driving while intoxicated, in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1192(3), with a previous conviction of that crime (see Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1193[1][c]), a class E felony; aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree, in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law § 511(3), a class E felony; and circumvention of an interlock device, in violation of Vehicle and Traffic Law § 1198(9)(d), a class A misdemeanor.
The Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District moves to strike the respondent's name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(b), based upon his felony conviction. Although the respondent was duly served, he has neither opposed the motion nor interposed any other response thereto.
Pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(a), the respondent was automatically disbarred and ceased to be an attorney upon his conviction of a felony.
Accordingly, the motion to strike the respondent's name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(b), is granted to reflect the respondent's automatic disbarment as of May 6, 2019.
SCHEINKMAN, P.J., MASTRO, RIVERA, DILLON and BALKIN, JJ., concur.
ORDERED that the motion of the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District is granted; and it is further,
ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(a), the respondent, Richard G. Martin, is disbarred, effective May 6, 2019, and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(b); and it is further,
ORDERED that the respondent, Richard G. Martin, shall comply with the rules governing the conduct of disbarred or suspended attorneys (see 22 NYCRR 1240.15); and it is further,
ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, the respondent, Richard G. Martin, is commanded to desist and refrain from (1) practicing law in any form, either as principal or as 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 if the respondent, Richard G. Martin, has been issued a secure pass by the Office of Court Administration, it shall be returned forthwith to the issuing agency, and the respondent shall certify to the same in his affidavit of compliance pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.15(f). ENTER:
Aprilanne Agostino
Clerk of the Court