Opinion ID: 177062
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: introduction

Text: By order dated July 31, 2007 (the Referral Order), the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the Court) referred Vlad Kuzmin to this Committee for investigation of • his conduct before the Court and for preparation of a report on whether he should be subject to disciplinary or other corrective measures. The Court's Referral Order raises two primary concerns. First, Kuzmin was counsel of record in 28 of 102 petitions for review that were dismissed for failure to comply with the Court's scheduling orders. Second, Kuzmin's former client, Qun Yang, alleges that Kuzmin twice failed to file briefs in his asylum appeal, Yang v. McElroy, No. 98-4391-ag, resulting in the dismissal of his case. According to Yang, Kuzmin concealed the default and told Yang that his case had been denied on the merits. Yang also contends that Kuzmin made false representations to immigration authorities on his behalf. The Committee finds that Kuzmin failed to timely file numerous briefs without adequate justification, but does not find, by clear and convincing evidence, that Kuzmin committed the misconduct alleged by Yang. However, the Committee does find that Kuzmin failed to adequately advise the immigration authorities of the circumstances of his client's entry into the United States. The Committee recommends that Kuzmin be publicly reprimanded for his conduct and required to submit biannual reports on the functioning of his practice for the next two years. The following constitutes the Committee's report and recommendation to impose discipline on Kuzmin . • 992333V3 •