Opinion
2000-11844
June 2, 2003.
Resignation tendered pursuant to 22 NYCRR 691.9 by Jeffrey E. Diamond, who was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on June 29, 1988, under the name Jeffrey Edwin Diamond. By opinion and order of this court dated February 3, 2003, the respondent was suspended from the practice of law for three years as a result of a disciplinary hearing in which three charges of professional misconduct were sustained.
Jeffrey E. Diamond, resignor pro se.
Diana Maxfield Kearse, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Susan Korenberg of counsel), for the Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts.
Before: A. GAIL PRUDENTI, P.J., DAVID S. RITTER, FRED T. SANTUCCI, MYRIAM J. ALTMAN, ANITA R. FLORIO, JJ.
OPINION ORDER
Jeffrey E. Diamond has submitted an affidavit dated February 1, 2003, wherein he tenders his resignation as an attorney and counselor-at-law (see 22 NYCRR 691.9). Mr. Diamond avers that his resignation is freely and voluntarily tendered, that he is not being subjected to coercion or duress, and that he is fully aware of the implications of submitting his resignation.
Mr. Diamond acknowledges that the Grievance Committee is currently investigating a complaint of professional misconduct against him including allegations, inter alia, of conversion, failing to safeguard client escrow funds, and other violations of the Disciplinary Rules governing the maintenance of attorney escrow accounts. Mr. Diamond acknowledges his inability to successfully defend himself on the merits against charges predicated upon the misconduct in question.
Mr. Diamond's resignation is submitted subject to any application which could be made by the Grievance Committee for an order directing that he make restitution and reimburse the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection of the State of New York, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6-a). He acknowledges the continuing jurisdiction of the court to make such an order. He is aware that any order issued pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6-a) could be entered as a civil judgment against him and he specifically waives the opportunity afforded him by Judiciary Law § 90(6-a)(f) to be heard in opposition thereto.
The Grievance Committee urges acceptance of the proffered resignation.
Inasmuch as the resignation complies with all appropriate court rules, it is accepted, and, effective immediately, Mr. Diamond is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.
PRUDENTI, P.J., RITTER, SANTUCCI, ALTMAN and FLORIO, JJ., concur.
ORDERED that the resignation of Jeffrey E. Diamond is accepted and directed to be filed; and it is further,
ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, Jeffrey E. Diamond is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law; and it is further,
ORDERED that Jeffrey E. Diamond shall continue to comply with this court's rules governing the conduct of disbarred, suspended, and resigned attorneys (see 22 NYCRR 691.10); and it is further,
ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, Jeffrey E. Diamond is commanded to continue 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.