Case ID: ad2d_98/html/0084-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Per Curiam.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

In the Matter of A. James La Bue, an Attorney, Respondent. Grievance Committee of the Seventh Judicial District, Petitioner.
    Fourth Department,
    December 16, 1983
    APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
    
      David E. Brennan (Gerard M. LaRusso of counsel), for petitioner.
    
      Harris, Beach, Wilcox, Rubin & Levey {James A. Hartman of counsel), for respondent.
   OPINION OF THE COURT

Per Curiam.

Respondent was admitted to practice by this court in 1957 and maintains an office for the practice of law in Rochester, New York. The uncontroverted allegations of the petition show that respondent was retained as attorney for an estate and in July, 1981 deposited $13,506.14 of estate moneys in an account entitled “A. James LaBue, Attorney’s Account”. Respondent failed to identify and preserve $12,901.14 of those funds (he disbursed the remaining $605 for estate expenses); the bank’s ledger statements pertaining to the account reflect monthly balances well below the sum of $12,901.14. Respondent has since reimbursed the estate with interest. His assertion that he always intended to repay the estate and was able to do so, if established, would be no defense to the charge that he violated 22 NYCRR 1022.5 (a) and (b) (commingling and converting a client’s funds and withdrawing moneys for his own use) (see Matter of LaCava, 53 AD2d 204; Matter of Iversen, 51 AD2d 422).

Respondent is guilty of violating DR 9-102 (A) and (B) of the Code of Professional Responsibility and this department’s rules relating to attorneys (22 NYCRR 1022.5 [a], [b]).

After considering the mitigating circumstances including his payment in full of the moneys with interest and his otherwise clear record, we conclude that he should be suspended from the practice of law for one year and until the further order of this court.

Dillon, P. J., Hancock, Jr., Callahan, Doerr and Denman, JJ., concur.

Order of suspension entered.