Case Name: In the Matter of Walter Michaelis (Admitted as Walter F. Michaelis), an Attorney, Respondent. Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District, Petitioner
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1983-03-14
Citations: 92 A.D.2d 278
Docket Number: 
Parties: In the Matter of Walter Michaelis (Admitted as Walter F. Michaelis), an Attorney, Respondent. Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District, Petitioner.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 92
Pages: 278–279

Head Matter:
In the Matter of Walter Michaelis (Admitted as Walter F. Michaelis), an Attorney, Respondent. Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District, Petitioner.
Second Department,
March 14, 1983
APPEARANCES OF COUNSEL
Francis F. Doran (.Robert P. Guido of counsel), for petitioner.
Walter Michaelis, respondent pro se.

Opinion:
OPINION OF THE COURT
Per Curiam.
The respondent was admitted to practice by this court on April 25, 1952. In this proceeding to discipline him for professional misconduct, the referee found respondent guilty of converting $700 in escrow moneys to his own use and of failing to co-operate with the petitioner Grievance Committee. The petitioner moves to confirm the referee's report and the respondent submits an affidavit in which he "consents to the confirmation of said report".
After reviewing all of the evidence, we are in full agreement with the report of the referee and therefore grant the petitioner's motion to confirm said report. The respondent is guilty of the afore-mentioned misconduct.
In determining the appropriate measure of discipline to be imposed, we are mindful of respondent's previously unblemished record, the fact that the funds have been repaid, his excellent character witnesses, and the mitigating circumstances advanced by respondent including the personal problems he was experiencing at the time of the misconduct. Accordingly, the respondent should be, and he hereby is, suspended from the practice of law for a period of one year commencing April 15, 1983 and until the further order of this court.
Mollen, P. J., Damiani, Lazer, Mangano and Weinstein, JJ., concur.