Formal Invite to NY's 'Attorney Ethics' Leaders

Integrity in the Courts Invite

Counselors:

Greetings. Your presence is respectfully requested at the September 24, 2009 public hearing by New York State Senator Sampson, Chairman of the NYS Judiciary Committee. (See the Senate Notice Below). CLICK HERE to review the Transcript of the Committee's first hearing held on June 8, 2009 in Albany. (CLICK HERE TO SEE THE HEARING VIDEOS)

The hearing will be held on the 19th floor, in the "Senate Hearing Room," at 250 Broadway in Manhattan, across from City Hall. You will need ID to gain access to the building. If you get there early, be sure to visit City Hall Park, a lovely park containing a 13-foot statue of Nathan Hall. As you are aware, Nathan Hall's famous quote is, "I only regret that I have but one life to give my country," and he his widely regarded as an American hero who fought against tyrants. You may also want to visit the Tweed Courthouse, just north of City Hall, an architectural marvel and best known as the centerpiece of Old Boss Tweed's public corruption in the Tammany Hall scandal. If you need a list of good "watering holes" in the area, please contact the First Department Departmental Disciplinary Committee.

The Public looks forward to your attendance and participation.

TO:

First Department

Chairman Roy L. Reardon, Esq.
Chief Counsel Alan W. Friedberg, Esq.
First Department Disciplinary Committee
61 Broadway, 2nd floor, New York, New York 10006
212-401-0810 fax

Second Department

Chief Counsel Diana Maxfield Kearse
State of New York Grievance Committee for the
Second, Eleventh & Thirteenth

Judicial Districts,
Renaissance Plaza,
335 Adams Street, Suite 2400
Brooklyn,

New York 11201-3745
718-624-2978 fax

Chief Counsel Gary L. Casella, Esq.
State of New York Grievance Committee for the
Ninth Judicial District


Crosswest Office Center,
399 Knollwood Road, Suite 200,
White Plains, NY 10603
914-949-0997 fax

Chief Counsel Rita Adler, Esq.
State of New York Grievance Committee for the
Tenth Judicial District


150 Motor Parkway, Suite 102,
Hauppauge, NY 11788
631-231-4005 fax

Third Department

Chief Counsel Mark Ochs, Esq.
Committee on Professional Standards
40 Steuben Street, Suite 502
Albany, New York 12207
518-474-0389 fax

Fourth Department

Chief Counsel Gregory J. Huether, Esq.
David L. Edmunds, Esq.
Principal Counsel Anthony J. Gigliotti, Esq.
Attorney Grievance Committee, 224 Harrison Street, Suite 408
Syracuse, New York 13202, 315-479-0123 fax

Principal Counsel Daniel A. Drake, Esq.
50 East Avenue, Suite 404
Rochester, New York 14604
585-530-3191 fax

Principal Counsel Vincent J. Scarsella, Esq.
438 Main Street, Suite 800
Buffalo, New York 14202
716-856-2701 fax

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SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING


SUBJECT: The Appellate Division First Department Departmental Disciplinary Committee, the grievance committees of the various Judicial Districts and the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

PURPOSE: This hearing will review the mission, procedures and level of public satisfaction with the Appellate Division First Department Departmental Disciplinary Committee, the grievance committees of the various Judicial Districts as well as the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.

New York City
Thursday September 24, 2009 - 10 A.M.
250 Broadway, 19th Floor Hearing Room
New York, New York 10007

ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court is the entity that is legally responsible for enforcing the Rules of Professional Conduct governing the conduct of attorneys in New York State. The Appellate Division Departments have created grievance committees that are charged with the investigation of complaints against attorneys. Within the First Judicial Department the Departmental Disciplinary Committee of the Appellate Division investigates complaints against attorneys. The New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct was created by the State Constitution and is charged with investigating complaints against Judges and Justices of the Unified Court System.

According to the 2009 Report of the Commission on Judicial Conduct, there were 1,923 complaints filed in 2008. Yet of these complaints only 262 were investigated and of those, 173 were dismissed. This hearing will examine the processes and procedures that are followed by the various agencies charged with the responsibility of enforcing the rules and regulations that must be followed by the Judiciary and the Bar in the State of New York. It will also evaluate public satisfaction with the disciplinary process.

Senator John L. Sampson

The June 8, 2009 hearing is on two videos:

CLICK HERE TO SEE Part 1

CLICK HERE TO SEE Part 2

CLICK HERE to review the Transcript of the Senate Committee's first hearing held on June 8, 2009 in Albany.