Opinion
12-16-2014
In the Matter of Robert A. SCHACHTER (admitted as Robert Alan Schachter), a suspended attorney: Departmental Disciplinary Committee for the First Judicial Department, Petitioner, Robert A. Schachter, Respondent.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Counsel, Departmental Disciplinary Committee, New York (Norma I. Lopez, of counsel), for petitioner. No appearance, for respondent.
Jorge Dopico, Chief Counsel, Departmental Disciplinary Committee, New York (Norma I. Lopez, of counsel), for petitioner.
No appearance, for respondent.
Opinion
PER CURIAM.Respondent Robert A. Schachter was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the Second Judicial Department on October 22, 1975, under the name Robert Alan Schachter. At all times relevant to this proceeding, respondent maintained an office for the practice of law within the First Judicial Department. Respondent has not appeared in this proceeding.
The Departmental Disciplinary Committee seeks an order disbarring respondent, pursuant to the Rules of the Appellate Division, First Department (22 NYCRR) § 603.4(g), because he has been suspended under 22 NYCRR 603.4(e)(1)(iii) and has not appeared or applied to the Committee or this Court for a hearing or reinstatement within six months from the date of the order of suspension, which was October 11, 2012. We suspended respondent from the practice of law for misappropriating over $100,000 belonging to his former law firm for his own personal benefit without permission or authority to do so.
The Committee served respondent with the instant motion by first-class and certified mail, return receipt requested, to his counsel, yet he have not submitted a response. Because more than six months has elapsed since this Court's October 11, 2012 order of suspension, and respondent has not sought a hearing or reinstatement, disbarment is warranted (see Matter of Ayu, 123 A.D.3d 44, 994 N.Y.S.2d 569 [1st Dept.2014] ; Matter of Seaborn, 121 A.D.3d 11, 988 N.Y.S.2d 498 [1st Dept.2014] ).
Accordingly, the Committee's motion to disbar respondent pursuant to 22 NYCRR 603.4(g) should be granted and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective immediately.
ANGELA M. MAZZARELLI, Justice Presiding, ROLANDO T. ACOSTA DIANNE T. RENWICK LELAND G. DEGRASSE ROSALYN H. RICHTER, Justices., concur.