How can i find out WHY a lawyer in NY was disbarred?

Question

This is a sensitive situation: my mother is considering meeting/dating a man she met through a friend in Queens who was a lawyer in NY. He told her that he was "taken out of the lawyering game because of a disciplinary action" and told her nothing more than this. He does other work now. I did try searching for what might have happened with this guy on the NY State Bar Association site and I can see that he "was asked to leave the Bar because of a Disciplinary Action" but of course the site will not tell you anything more than this. The guy's explanation of a "business deal that had soured" does not ring at all true to me and of course I am concerned.

Does anyone know anywhere else I can go to find out more about this?

Answer 1

Contact the local bar association and ask them. They will provide you with information if the person is currently able to practice law.

Answer 2

Generall, disbarment happens for one of 3 reasons:
1. Incompetence in representing a client
2. Fraud in handling someone's finances
3. Conviction of a felony.

2 and 3 are searchable, as they would involve criminal prosecutions. The easiset way is to hire a search company from the internet. For a couple hundred bucks, they can find out if he was prosecuted, and why.

Answer 3

just a thought but if it were me, i'd go to the local library, maybe the branch next to the main one on 5th ave. do this at this site because they have the biggest and best collection of papers. you know, the one on 40th NEAR 5th? go to the microfiche dept and get the issue of either ny times, daily news (you get the idea) and do a primary search. the ny bar is probably not free to divulge any more info than allowed by law but i betcha the daily rags would have the info. got to get some window of time to begin. oh and also, type in this guy's name into the search engine and see what pops. chat this guy up. people love to talk about themselves even when they don't like to talk about themselves. sooner or later you'll get some kind of date, time, etc. he could've been involved with illegal holding of funds, failure to impart info on $$$. next to murder, that's a big no-no! that's what got roy cohn. who's roy cohn? next to the teflon don was the teflon lawyer. both got their dues and all about $$$.

Answer 4

Try The NYS Judicial Conduct in Albany,NY.

http://www.scjc.state.ny.us/Determinations/R/restino.htm

I Removed A Sitting Judge From The Bench For Life in NYS.
You May find news about him with google,type in his name and go through the hits.
But,I Know dealing with the judiciary,it is the JCB whom removes,admonishes(slap their hand),being I had lester goodermote by his 450 lb.throat,he had no defense and had to resign or face a civil suit from me if he testified in his own defense.The JCB,did a 2 1/2 yr. investigation on him,they told me all my Charges Are Founded (true),hence No Defense land whale.Being he resigned they Keep it all confidential,Which sucks,So I Tell The World The Real Truth about lowlifescumbucket that sat on the bench for 14 1/2 yrs.Trashing people at his slimy whim.Also,accosting 20 yr. old girls for sexual favors to get out of their ticket.

Answer 5

I acutally googled a prominent (albeit corrupt) attorney in my area and he was disbarred for money laundering...his case came right up as case law is public...try that or contacting the local bar assoc...

Answer 6

The bar association might be able to give you additional information. This should be public record.

Answer 7

Actually there is not necessarily a reason for the Bar to disclose it to curious 3rd parties.

Could be unethical, could also violate confidentiality agreements in place.

Answer 8

if you get the guy to sign a release to give you the information, you will have it. If he refuses, whatever he did was SO SERIOUS that you should RELEASE him. Dishonesty is never the basis for a good relatiionship.