Case Name: In the Matter of John M. Owens, an Attorney, Respondent. Grievance Committee of the Seventh Judicial District, Petitioner
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1984-09-21
Citations: 103 A.D.2d 301
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of John M. Owens, an Attorney, Respondent. Grievance Committee of the Seventh Judicial District, Petitioner.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 103
Pages: 301–302

Head Matter:
In the Matter of John M. Owens, an Attorney, Respondent. Grievance Committee of the Seventh Judicial District, Petitioner.
Fourth Department,
September 21, 1984
APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
David E. Brennan (Gerard M. LaRusso of counsel), for petitioner.
Dean J. Fero for respondent.

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
Per Curiam.
Respondent was admitted to practice by order of this court on June 28, 1978 and presently maintains an office for the practice of law in the City of Rochester.
The petition charges that in September, 1983 while representing a client in the sale of real property, respondent received and deposited in his general trust account $5,930, representing part of the proceeds of the sale. During the month of October, 1983 no moneys were remitted to the client and the trust account balance fell below the amount due the client. In November, 1983 respondent received the remaining proceeds due on the sale — $10,000 — which had remained in escrow with the mortgagee pending receipt of certain legal documents. Respondent deposited the $10,000 in his trust account. In the ensuing months the account balance continued to remain below the amount owed to the client, notwithstanding the fact that on December 22, 1983, $5,000 was disbursed to the client. On February 29, 1984, prior to the filing of the petition herein, respondent transmitted to the client all sums due on the real estate transaction.
Respondent has admitted the allegations in the petition. Respondent is guilty of unprofessional conduct because he failed to identify and preserve the funds of a client (Code of Professional Responsibility, DR 9-102) and withdrew money from a fiduciary account for his own purposes before remittance had been given to the client (22 NYCRR 1022.5 [b]).
Respondent should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year and until the further order of this court (see Matter of King, 91 AD2d 269; Matter of McDowell, 91 AD2d 282).
Dillon, P. J., Hancock, Jr., Callahan, Doerr and Denman, JJ., concur.
Order of suspension entered.