Disbarrment for lawyers who misuse client funds? Huh?

A curious coincidence? Two abstracts from today’s New York Law Journal, both dealing with lawyers who “misuse,” i.e., steal clients’ funds.

First, one actual incident for which a “leading lawyer representing wealthy foreigners buying real estate” was disbarred. (His specialty by itself suggests that someone is being cheated, probably New York taxpayers.)

Panel Disbars Attorney for Misusing Client Funds

Ben Bedell, New York Law Journal   

Luigi Rosabianca, who was described in 2014 New York magazine article as a leading lawyer representing wealthy foreigners buying real estate, was disbarred Tuesday by the Appellate Division, First Department.

Then we have a New York state panel that is discussing the attorney disciplinary system and has suggested an exciting, innovative “unifying rule”: “lawyers who steal from their clients should be barred from practice.”

I really dislike the expression “duh?” But…”duh?”

Committee Explores Uniform Attorney Discipline System

Joel Stashenko, New York Law Journal   

During a review of New York’s attorney disciplinary system, the leader of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection said one unifying rule should be that lawyers who steal from their clients should be barred from practice.

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