Opinion
11-10-2016
In the Matter of Adam Bret STEIG, a Suspended Attorney.
Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany (Sarah A. Richards of counsel), for Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department. Adam Bret Steig, Summit, New Jersey, respondent pro se.
Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany (Sarah A. Richards of counsel), for Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department.
Adam Bret Steig, Summit, New Jersey, respondent pro se.
Before: McCARTHY, J.P., GARRY, DEVINE, MULVEY and AARONS, JJ.
PER CURIAM.Respondent was admitted to practice by this Court in 1995. He was previously admitted to practice in New Jersey in 1992, where he formerly maintained an office for the practice of law.
By order entered September 24, 2009, respondent was suspended in this state based upon his failure to register as an attorney and to pay biennial registration fees as required (see Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a, 65 A.D.3d 1447, 1477, 885 N.Y.S.2d 441 [2009] ). Said suspension remains in effect to date.
By order filed July 9, 2015, respondent was disbarred upon his consent by the Supreme Court of New Jersey (Matter of Steig, 222 N.J. 20, 117 A.3d 173 [2015] ), upon allegations that he had knowingly misappropriated client funds. The Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department (hereinafter AGC) now moves for an order imposing discipline in this state pursuant to the Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.13 by reason of the discipline imposed in New Jersey. Respondent replied by submission of an application to resign while the investigation or proceeding against him is pending (see Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.10 ). By affidavit sworn to October 13, 2016, AGC has opposed respondent's application to resign. Respondent has not otherwise responded to AGC's motion.
Initially, we find respondent's application to resign from the practice of law while the subject disciplinary proceeding is pending to be deficient on its face and, therefore, it must be denied. Despite acknowledgment that he could not defend himself against allegations that he misappropriated client funds in New Jersey, his subsequent disbarment on consent by the Supreme Court of New Jersey and receipt of AGC's present motion seeking to impose discipline based upon the discipline imposed in New Jersey, respondent failed to disclose in his application to resign that AGC's investigation included allegations that he had willfully misappropriated money in the practice of law and, in turn, he failed to provide the disclosures that are required when such allegations are raised (see Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.10 [a], [b] ).
Turning to AGC's motion, inasmuch as respondent has not otherwise replied to the motion, he has waived any available defenses (see Matter of Halbfish, 78 A.D.3d 1320, 1321, 909 N.Y.S.2d 675 [2010] ; see also Matter of Morin, 131 A.D.3d 799, 799, 15 N.Y.S.3d 707 [2015] ; Matter of Radshaw, 130 A.D.3d 1139, 1139, 13 N.Y.S.3d 618 [2015] ; see generally Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.13 [b] ). Accordingly, we grant AGC's motion and further conclude that, under the circumstances presented and in order to protect the public, maintain the honor and integrity of the profession and deter others from committing similar misconduct, respondent should be disbarred in this state (see Matter of Dasent, 139 A.D.3d 1315, 1316, 30 N.Y.S.3d 595 [2016] ; Matter of Hock Loon Yong, 130 A.D.3d 1428, 1429, 12 N.Y.S.3d 925 [2015] ; Matter of Felli, 116 A.D.3d 1335, 1335, 983 N.Y.S.2d 922 [2014] ; Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] §§ 1240.8 [b][2]; 1240.13[c] ).
ORDERED that the motion of the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department is granted; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent's application to resign while a proceeding or investigation is pending is denied; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law of the State of New York, effective immediately; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent is commanded to desist and refrain from the practice of law in any form, either as principal or as agent, clerk or employee of another; and respondent is hereby 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 respondent shall comply with the provisions of the Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters regulating the conduct of disbarred attorneys (see Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.15 ).
McCARTHY, J.P., GARRY, DEVINE, MULVEY and AARONS, JJ., concur.