Case ID: ad2d_165/html/0422-01.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

In the Matter of John J. O’Keefe, an Attorney, Resignor.
    Second Department,
    April 8, 1991
    APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
    
      John J. O’Keefe, resignor pro se.
    
    
      Robert H. Straus (Diana J. Szochet of counsel), for Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts.
   OPINION OF THE COURT

Per Curiam.

John J. O’Keefe has submitted an affidavit dated June 26, 1990, wherein he tenders his resignation as an attorney and counselor-at-law (22 NYCRR 691.9). Mr. O’Keefe was admitted to the practice of law by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, on October 18, 1961.

Mr. O’Keefe acknowledges that he is currently the subject of an investigation by the Grievance Committee for Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts concerning allegations that he misappropriated approximately $30,000 from a client and failed to account for stock certificates and other assets of an estate entrusted to him.

Mr. O’Keefe indicates that he could not successfully defend himself on the merits against charges predicated upon the misconduct outlined in his affidavit of resignation, that his resignation is freely and voluntarily tendered, that he is not being subjected to coercion or duress, and that he is fully aware of the implications of submitting his resignation.

The Chief Counsel for the Grievance Committee recommends that the court accept the resignation. Under the circumstances herein, the resignation of John J. O’Keefe as a member of the Bar is accepted and directed to be filed. Accordingly, John J. O’Keefe is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, effective immediately.

Mangano, P. J., Thompson, Brown, Kunzeman and Eiber, JJ., concur.

Ordered that the resignation of John J. O’Keefe is accepted and directed to be filed; and it is further,

Ordered that pursuant to Judiciary Law §90, effective immediately, John J. O’Keefe is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law; and it is further,

Ordered that John J. O’Keefe shall promptly comply with this court’s rules governing the conduct of disbarred, suspended and resigned attorneys (22 NYCRR 691.10); and it is further,

Ordered that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, John J. O’Keefe is commanded to desist and refrain (1) from practicing law in any form, either as principal or as agent, clerk or employee of another, (2) from appearing as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, Judge, Justice, board, commission or other public authority, (3) from giving to another an opinion as to the law or its application or any advice in relation thereto, and (4) from holding himself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law.