Opinion
2013-09-5
In the Matter of Bradley J. WEIL, an Attorney. Committee on Professional Standards, Petitioner; Bradley J. Weil, Respondent.
Michael G. Gaynor, Acting Chief Attorney, Committee on Professional Standards, Albany (Elizabeth M. Devane of counsel), for petitioner.
Before: PETERS, P.J., STEIN, McCARTHY and EGAN JR., JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Respondent was admitted to practice by this Court in 1986. He resides in New Jersey, where he was admitted to practice in 1987.
By order dated April 26, 2013, the Supreme Court of New Jersey censured respondent for failing to safeguard funds, practicing law while ineligible and conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation (Matter of Weil, 213 N.J. 499, 64 A.3d 557 [2013] ). Petitioner now moves for an order imposing discipline pursuant to this Court's rules ( see22 NYCRR 806.19).
Respondent has not replied to the motion or otherwise raised any available defenses ( see22 NYCRR 806.19[d] ), and we therefore grant petitioner's motion. Further, the record indicates that respondent was previously ineligible to practice law in New Jersey because he did not pay annual assessments to the New Jersey Lawyer's Fund for Client Protection. He has similarly been delinquent with respect to his five most recent biennial attorney registration payments in New York.
Under all of the circumstances presented, and especially noting respondent's apparent disregard for his fate as an attorney in this state as evinced by his failure to appear in this matter and his delinquent registration status, we conclude that he should be suspended for six months ( see generally Matter of Dahl, 108 A.D.3d 1009, 968 N.Y.S.2d 911 [2013];Matter of Marshall, 58 A.D.3d 1066, 871 N.Y.S.2d 764 [2009] ).
ORDERED that petitioner's motion is granted; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent is suspended from the practice of law for a period of six months, effective immediately, and until further order of this Court; and it is further
ORDERED that, for the period of the suspension, 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 this Court's rules regulating the conduct of suspended attorneys ( see22 NYCRR 806.9).