Opinion
07-11-2017
In the Matter of Siddharth G. DUBAL, an attorney and counselor-at-law: Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department, Petitioner, Siddharth G. Dubal, Respondent.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Attorney, Attorney Grievance Committee, New York (Remi E. Shea, of counsel), for petitioner. Respondent pro se.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Attorney, Attorney Grievance Committee, New York (Remi E. Shea, of counsel), for petitioner.
Respondent pro se.
PER CURIAM.
Respondent Siddharth G. Dubal was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the First Judicial Department on January 13, 2003. Respondent last maintained a registered business address in New Jersey.
Respondent, pro se, seeks an order pursuant to Uniform Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.10, accepting his resignation and disbarring him from the practice of law nunc pro tunc to January 26, 2016 or the date of the current application. The Attorney Grievance Committee supports the application.
Respondent states he was also admitted in the State of New Jersey, and that on January 26, 2016, the Supreme Court of New Jersey disbarred him on consent (Matter of Dubal, 224 N.J. 35, 128 A.3d 694 [2016] ). Respondent acknowledges he is currently the subject of an investigation by the Committee involving allegations of professional misconduct, regarding conversion or misappropriation of client trust funds in a total amount of $174,807.15. Respondent states he has made full restitution to each of the clients, he cannot successfully defend himself against the allegations under investigation, and that he submits his resignation freely and voluntarily, without coercion or duress, and with full awareness of the consequences. Respondent further agrees that pending issuance of an order accepting his resignation, he shall not undertake to represent any new clients or accept any retainers for future legal services. Respondent's resignation is effective the date his affidavit was sworn to, March 2, 2017 (see e.g. Matter of Lamborn, 139 A.D.3d 128, 29 N.Y.S.3d 785 [1st Dept.2016] ; Matter of Abelow, 135 A.D.3d 234, 19 N.Y.S.3d 415 [1st Dept.2015] ).
Respondent's resignation conforms with 22 NYCRR 1240.10 and is therefore accepted by this Court (see Abelow, at 235, 19 N.Y.S.3d 415 ).
Accordingly, respondent's motion should be granted to the extent of accepting respondent's resignation from the practice of law and striking his name from the roll of attorneys, effective nunc pro tunc to March 2, 2017.
DAVID FRIEDMAN, Justice Presiding, ROSALYN H. RICHTER, PAUL G. FEINMAN, JUDITH J. GISCHE, ELLEN GESMER, Justices.