Opinion
M–2902
09-03-2019
In the MATTER OF Lana E. CANTRELL, an attorney and counselor-at-law: Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department, Petitioner, v. Lana E. Cantrell, Respondent.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Attorney, Attorney Grievance Committee, New York, (Naomi F. Goldstein, of counsel), for petitioner. Thomas F. Farley, Esq. for respondent.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Attorney, Attorney Grievance Committee, New York, (Naomi F. Goldstein, of counsel), for petitioner.
Thomas F. Farley, Esq. for respondent.
Hon. Judith J. Gische, Justice Presiding, Marcy L. Kahn, Jeffrey K. Oing, Anil C. Singh, Peter H. Moulton, Justices.
IN THE MATTER OF LANA E. CANTRELL - AN ATTORNEY
PER CURIAM
Respondent Lana E. Cantrell was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the First Judicial Department on January 31, 1994. At all times relevant herein, respondent maintained a business address for the practice of law within the First Department.
The Attorney Grievance Committee (Committee) moves for an order, pursuant to the Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters ( 22 NYCRR) § 1240.14(b), immediately suspending respondent from the practice of law on the ground that she is currently incapacitated from practicing law by reason of a medical condition. Respondent does not oppose.
For the reasons set forth below, we now grant the motion to the extent of immediately suspending respondent from the practice of law and staying the Committee's pending investigation until further order of this Court.
On September 24, 2018, the Committee received a complaint from one of the parties in a matrimonial matter, alleging that respondent improperly distributed monies from an escrow account. By several letters and an email, the Committee sent a copy of the complaint to respondent and directed her to answer. Respondent did not submit an answer.
On March 27, 2019, Thomas F. Farley, Esq. contacted the Committee, identified himself as a long-time friend of respondent, and stated that he was assisting her in this matter. In subsequent letters, Mr. Farley described in detail respondent's medical conditions and enclosed a letter from respondent's medical doctor stating that she is presently unable to handle the affairs of others. Mr. Farley further informed the Committee that respondent had recently registered with the Office of Court Administration as a retired attorney.
In view of the foregoing, the Committee has presented sufficient medical evidence that respondent is presently incapacitated from continuing to practice law by reason of a medical condition, and her immediate suspension is warranted under 22 NYCRR 1240.14(b) (see e.g. Matter of Nagel , 161 A.D.3d 95, 74 N.Y.S.3d 246 [1st Dept. 2018] ; Matter of Falls , 121 A.D.3d 83, 988 N.Y.S.2d 624 [1st Dept .2014] ; Matter of Rabinowitz , 97 A.D.3d 192, 945 N.Y.S.2d 558 [1st Dept. 2012] ; Matter of Farinella , 91 A.D.3d 35, 934 N.Y.S.2d 101 [1st Dept. 2011].
Accordingly, the Committee's motion should be granted and respondent be immediately suspended from the practice of law, and the Committee's pending investigation be stayed, until further order of this Court.
All concur. The motion is granted and respondent is suspended from the practice of law in the State of New York pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.14(b), effective immediately, and the pending investigation is stayed, until further order of this Court.