Opinion
June 22, 1999
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS instituted by the Departmental Disciplinary Committee for the First Judicial Department.
Richard Supple of counsel (Thomas J. Cahill, attorney), for petitioner.
Paul E. Haberman, respondent pro se.
ROSENBERGER, J.P. WILLIAMS, WALLACH, ANDRIAS and FRIEDMAN, JJ., concur.
OPINION OF THE COURT
Respondent, Paul E. Haberman, admitted as Paul Evan Haberman, was admitted to practice law in the State of New York by the Second Judicial Department on February 3, 1993. At all times relevant to this proceeding, he maintained an office to practice law within the First Judicial Department.
Respondent submits his resignation pursuant to 22 NYCRR 603.11. In an affidavit of resignation dated April 14, 1999, respondent admitted to acts of serious professional conduct. Specifically, respondent acknowledged that he received a copy of a letter sent to the Departmental Disciplinary Committee, which described his misconduct as the executor of the Estate of Esther Romm. Acting in this capacity, and without the knowledge of the estate's residual legatees, respondent loaned virtually all of the cash assets of the estate to himself and his former law partner in order to purchase stock in a New Jersey corporation that ultimately went bankrupt. A judgment against respondent in the sum of $823,103.01 remains unpaid. Respondent also states, inter alia, that he has no defense to the allegations of professional misconduct.
The Departmental Disciplinary Committee now moves for an order accepting respondent's resignation and removing his name from the role of attorneys admitted to practice law in the State of New York. Since respondent's affidavit of resignation properly conforms to the requirements of 22 NYCRR 603.11 (a), the motion should be granted.
Accordingly, respondent's resignation should be accepted and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York.
ROSENBERGER, J.P., WILLIAMS, WALLACH, ANDRIAS and FRIEDMAN, JJ. concur.
Resignation accepted and respondent's name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York effective immediately.