Opinion
2011-09-22
In the Matter of Madeline Sheila GALVIN and James E. Morgan, Attorneys.Committee on Professional Standards, Petitioner;Madeline Sheila Galvin and James E. Morgan, Respondents.
Peter M. Torncello, Committee on Professional Standards, Albany (Michael K. Creaser of counsel), for petitioner.Corrigan, McCoy & Bush, PLLC (Scott W. Bush of counsel), Rensselaer, for respondents.PER CURIAM.
Respondent Madeline Sheila Galvin was admitted to practice by this Court in 1974 and respondent James E. Morgan was admitted to practice by this Court in 1973. They maintain an office for the practice of law in Albany County.
Upon referral by this Court, the issues of fact raised by a petition of charges and respondents' answer were heard by a Referee, who issued a report sustaining certain charges and finding that petitioner did not meet its burden of proof with respect to other charges ( see 22 NYCRR 806.5).
Petitioner has the burden of proving professional misconduct by a fair preponderance of the evidence ( see Matter of Capoccia, 59 N.Y.2d 549, 551, 466 N.Y.S.2d 268, 453 N.E.2d 497 [1983] ). Petitioner and respondents now make motions to confirm and disaffirm the Referee's report, each in part.
Upon our review, we confirm the Referee's report with respect to the charges and we further find that respondents should be found guilty of the following professional misconduct. Respondents engaged in fraudulent conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice and made frivolous claims in a proceeding on behalf of a client, in violation of former Code of Professional Responsibility DR 1–102(a)(4), (5) and (7) and DR 7–102(a)(2) (former 22 NYCRR 1200.3[a][4], [5], [7]; 1200.33[a][2] ) ( see Gollomp v. Spitzer, 568 F.3d 355 [2009] ) (charge II). Respondents failed to cooperate with the Albany County Bar Association in a fee dispute matter ( see 22 NYCRR 806.6) and with petitioner's investigation of the matter, in violation of former Code of Professional Responsibility DR 1–102(a)(5) (former 22 NYCRR 1200.3[a] [5] ) (charge III). Morgan neglected client matters on behalf of a client in violation of former Code of Professional Responsibility DR 6–101(a)(3) (former 22 NYCRR 1200.30[a][3] ) (charge VI, specifications 2 and 3). We grant and deny the motions to affirm and disaffirm the Referee's report in accordance with the above.
The alleged misconduct occurred prior to April 1, 2009, the effective date of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
In view of all the circumstances presented, we conclude that respondents should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years, effective immediately, and until further order of this Court, but we stay said suspensions upon the conditions that, during the period of their suspensions, respondents comply with the statutes and rules regulating attorney conduct, not be the subject of any further action, proceeding or application for discipline or sanctions in any court, and that each respondent complete six credit hours of accredited continuing legal education (hereinafter CLE) in ethics and professionalism in addition to the CLE required of all attorneys. Respondents may apply to terminate their suspensions after two years. Any such application shall include documentation of the required CLE and passage of the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination by each respondent during the next two years and shall be served upon petitioner, who may be heard thereon.
ORDERED that respondents are found guilty of the professional misconduct as charged and specified in charges II and III; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent James E. Morgan is found guilty of the professional misconduct as charged and specified in charge VI, specifications 2 and 3; and it is further
ORDERED that the motions to confirm and disaffirm the Referee's report are granted and denied in part in accordance with the findings of professional misconduct made in this decision; and it is further
ORDERED that respondents are each suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years, effective immediately, and until further order of this Court, which suspensions are stayed upon the
terms and conditions set forth in this Court's decision.
MERCURE, J.P., PETERS, ROSE, KAVANAGH and GARRY, JJ., concur.