Case ID: ad2d_205/html/0096-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

[617 NYS2d 646]
    In the Matter of Hermena Perlmutter, an Attorney, Respondent. Departmental Disciplinary Committee for the First Judicial Department, Petitioner.
    First Department,
    November 1, 1994
    APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
    
      Andral N. Bratton of counsel (Hal R. Lieberman, attorney), for petitioner.
    No appearance on behalf of respondent.
   OPINION OF THE COURT

Per Curiam.

Respondent Hermena Perlmutter was admitted to the practice of law in New York by the First Department on December 3, 1956 and was suspended on July 2, 1987 because of a Federal felony conviction for a "serious crime”. (See, Matter of Perlmutter, 129 AD2d 171, 141 AD2d 253.)

The crime was evading the Federal currency transaction reporting requirement and the respondent was sentenced to a term of probation of three years expiring May 8, 1990 (unless shortened or sooner terminated). (See, Matter of Perlmutter, 150 AD2d 121.)

By order of this Court entered October 15, 1992, respondent was reinstated as an attorney and counselor-at-law. (See, Matter of Perlmutter, 186 AD2d 434.)

Thereafter, on or about October 27, 1993, a complaint was filed with the Departmental Disciplinary Committee against respondent, alleging that she held herself out as a member of the Bar during the suspension period and received $10,000 for legal representation.

Counsel for the Departmental Disciplinary Committee sought an explanation from respondent and despite many telephone messages and certified mail notices with repeated deadlines, respondent has failed to appear or to answer or in any way to cooperate with the Departmental Disciplinary Committee.

22 NYCRR 603.4 (e) (1) provides as follows:

"An attorney who is the subject of an investigation, or of charges by the Departmental Disciplinary Committee of professional misconduct, or who is the subject of a disciplinary proceeding pending in this court against whom a petition has been filed pursuant to this section, or upon whom a notice has been served pursuant to section 603.3 (b) of this Part, may be suspended from the practice of law, pending consideration of the charges against the attorney, upon a finding that the attorney is guilty of professional misconduct immediately threatening the public interest. Such a finding shall be based upon:
"(i) the attorney’s default in responding to the petition or notice, or the attorney’s failure to submit a written answer to pending charges of professional misconduct or to comply with any lawful demand of this court or the Departmental Disciplinary Committee made in connection with any investigation, hearing or disciplinary proceeding”.

Accordingly, the Committee’s motion pursuant to said rule should be granted and respondent suspended from the practice of law, effective immediately, and until such time as the disciplinary matter, pending before the Committee, has been concluded and until further order of this Court (Matter of Valdes, 160 AD2d 31).

Murphy, P. J., Ellerin, Kupferman, Ross and Williams, JJ., concur.

Application granted and respondent is suspended from practice as an attorney and counselor-at-law in the State of New York, effective immediately, and until the further order of this Court, as indicated.