Matter of Gunar
Annotate this CaseDecided on April 10, 2012
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKAPPELLATE DIVISION : SECOND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
REINALDO E. RIVERA, J.P.
PETER B. SKELOS
MARK C. DILLON
DANIEL D. ANGIOLILLO
ANITA R. FLORIO, JJ.
2011-01779
[*1]In the Matter of Seth M. Gunar, admitted as Seth Michael Gunar, a suspended attorney. Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District, petitioner; Seth M. Gunar, respondent. (Attorney Registration No. 2829547)
DISCIPLINARY proceeding instituted by the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District. The respondent was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Third Judicial Department on July 22, 1997, under the name Seth Michael Gunar.
Robert A. Green, White Plains, N.Y. (Gloria J. Anderson of
counsel), for petitioner.
OPINION & ORDER
PER CURIAM. By decision and order on motion dated August 15, 2011, the respondent was immediately suspended from the practice of law pursuant to 22 NYCRR 691.4(l)(1)(i) and (iii), upon a finding that he was guilty of professional misconduct immediately threatening the public interest based upon his failure to cooperate with the lawful demands of the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District (hereinafter the Grievance Committee) and other uncontroverted evidence of professional misconduct; the Grievance Committee was authorized to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding against the respondent based upon a verified petition dated February 17, 2011; and the matter was referred to Frank M. Headley, Jr., as Special Referee, to hear and report. The verified petition contains two charges alleging, respectively, that the respondent engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, in violation of Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR 1200.0) rule 8.4(d), by failing to re-register as an attorney with the Office of Court Administration, as well as conduct adversely reflecting on his fitness as a lawyer, in violation of Rules of Professional Conduct (22 NYCRR 1200.0) rule 8.4(h), by failing to cooperate with the lawful demands of the Grievance Committee.
On October 19, 2011, the decision and order on motion dated August 15, 2011, was personally served on the respondent. More than 20 days have since elapsed without an answer to the petition, as directed, or a request for an adjournment.
The Grievance Committee now moves to deem the charges against the respondent established and to impose such discipline upon him as the Court deems appropriate, based upon his default. The respondent has neither opposed the Grievance Committee's motion nor interposed any response thereto. [*2]
Accordingly, the Grievance Committee's motion is granted, the charges in the verified petition are deemed established and, effective immediately, the respondent is disbarred on default and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.
RIVERA, J.P., SKELOS, DILLON, ANGIOLILLO and FLORIO, JJ., concur.
ORDERED that the Grievance Committee's motion is granted; and it is further,
ORDERED that, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, the respondent, Seth M. Gunar, admitted as Seth Michael Gunar, is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law; and it is further,
ORDERED that the respondent, Seth M. Gunar, admitted as Seth Michael Gunar, shall continue to comply with this Court's rules governing the conduct of disbarred, suspended, and resigned attorneys (see 22 NYCRR 691.10); and it is further,
ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, the respondent, Seth M. Gunar, admitted as Seth Michael Gunar, shall continue to desist and refrain from (1) practicing law in any form, either as principal, agent, clerk, or employee of another, (2) appearing as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, Judge, Justice, board, commission, or other public authority, (3) giving to another an opinion as to the law or its application or any advice in relation thereto, and (4) holding himself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law; and it is further,
ORDERED that if the respondent, Seth M. Gunar, admitted as Seth Michael Gunar, has been issued a secure pass by the Office of Court Administration, it shall be returned forthwith to the issuing agency and the respondent shall certify to the same in his affidavit of compliance pursuant to 22 NYCRR 691.10(f).
ENTER:
Aprilanne Agostino
Clerk of the Court
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