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David A. Lewis Law PLLC

Legal Ethics Counsel | Manhattan, NY

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Ethics Defense Against Lawyer Grievances

When Your Professional Reputation Is on the Line

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DON’T FACE THE ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE ALONE

David A Lewis

Your Fiercest Advocate

My practice focuses solely on professional responsibility, legal ethics, and character & fitness advice for current and aspiring lawyers. My approach prioritizes mitigation and prevention, managing risk through proactive strategies that aim for optimal outcomes. I can help you build a defense against lawyer grievances and *NY Bar Association complaints.

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*“New York Bar Association complaint” is a common misnomer. Professional conduct complaints are handled by the New York Attorney Grievance Committee.

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Terrific lawyer and person

 

 

Mr. Lewis has handled the New York legal ethics matter I had entrusted him with to my full satisfaction. He provided candid, effective advice throughout the course of representation. I greatly enjoyed working with him, and recommend Mr. Lewis’ services without reservation to attorneys (or those seeking to become attorneys) facing any legal ethics issue in New York.

An excellent lawyer who practices in the ethics and professional responsibility arena… He has very good judgment and excellent knowledge in the area.

A fine lawyer, with very good judgment and excellent knowledge in the legal ethics and professional responsibility field.

Exceptional judgment, deep experience. I trust him with the most important and sensitive matters.

Experienced lawyer with highly impressive credentials. Highest standards of integrity.

Recognized expert in his field of legal ethics and professional responsibility

Mr. Lewis was was recommended to me by a good attorney friend who had the unfortunate circumstance of requiring Mr. Lewis’ assistance in a long and expensive ethics related litigation. While I have never had a situation quite so dire, I do — with regularity — face situations where ethics guidance is necessary and there is just no substitute for Mr. Lewis’ sage counsel. I’ve relied on Mr. Lewis’ counsel on many occasions and plan to continue to do so for so long as I am in the practice of law.

Powerhouse ethics counsel and very thoughtful; my go-to source for the thorny questions that come up all the time.

David is a knowledgeable, dedicated, and effective attorney. Sensitive to the client’s needs in sometimes delicate matters. Will recommend him without hesitation.

Lawyer Grievance and Conduct Complaint Defense Services

With a foundation of knowledge about your situation, you and David will develop an informed strategy to defend against any grievances or conduct complaints that put your reputation—and career—at risk. 

Minimized Damage

David values and encourages honesty, cooperation, mitigation, de-escalation, and preventative measures to deliver the best defense against lawyer grievances and secure a positive outcome for your case.

Exceptional Judgement

Ethics is David’s sole area of practice, so you can be sure he’s knowledgeable. He can advise you on your case in front of the Attorney Grievance Committee, using both logic and creativity to resolve your matter.

Extensive Experience

As the former Chair of the NYC Bar Association’s Professional Responsibility Committee, and a member of numerous other committees, David has an outstanding reputation in the New York legal community.

If a Complaint Is Lodged Against You

Find your own attorney—immediately. The response period is limited, so you’ll want the right representation for your defense and avoid costly mistakes. 

You take your reputation very seriously, so a complaint is a real threat. Whether you’ve been practicing law for decades without a complaint or you’ve received a frivolous grievance early in your career based on a misunderstanding or fee dispute, a New York ethics attorney can help build a strong defense against lawyer grievances. 

There’s a well-known saying in the legal world that even lawyers shouldn’t represent themselves. That’s because it’s incredibly difficult to be both the client and the advocate—especially when the stakes are personal.

Schedule a personalized strategy session with David A. Lewis to build your defense.

Responding to an Attorney Grievance Committee Complaint

  • Responding quickly and honestly to a complaint has the best chance of getting it dismissed. Work with David to identify all concerns and take sincere, proactive steps to address them.
  • Proper advocacy can help present your case in the most credible manner. David aims to provide a sincere, impassioned defense that helps you truthfully and thoughtfully share your account.
  • My approach is always focused on prevention, mitigation, de-escalation, and minimizing damage. The goal is to minimize interference with your professional life and achieve the best possible outcome.
  • There is great value in understanding what the red flags are and how to address them.  Knowing the key factors that contribute to any professional conduct analysis can be strategically critical.

Armed with years of experience as an ethics attorney, David can help you present a thoughtful response to NY Bar Association inquiries and a strategic defense against lawyer grievances and attorney conduct complaints.

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The Process & Potential Outcomes

A network of push pins and string

Your defense against lawyer grievances generally starts with a complaint communicated through the Attorney Grievance Committee.

1 Submit a Written Answer to the Complaint — Complaints should be met with a written response to the New York Attorney Grievance Committee. This is an important opportunity to provide relevant factual and legal background information, thereby placing everything in the proper context and perspective.

2 Respond to Follow-Up Questions and/or Requests — There may be additional follow-up questions from the Staff Counsel conducting the investigation. This could involve a request for documents or a request for an Examination Under Oath. Navigate these requests with extreme caution and with guidance from a New York ethics attorney.

3 Complaint Dismissal or Repercussions — This investigation may end in one of two ways: The complaint will either be dismissed and the Attorney Grievance Committee’s file can be closed, or some other action will be taken. David can help you develop a more thorough defense against lawyer grievances.

If The Complaint Is Not Dismissed

When a complaint is not dismissed, there is generally a range of potential consequences and outcomes. 

Letter of Advisement

This is a confidential “warning” letter and does not constitute professional discipline. Although it is not public, a New York Attorney Grievance Committee or Court may consider it in the future when determining the action or the discipline to be taken on any subsequent complaints.

Admonition

This is a private form of discipline. Again, it is not public, but an Attorney Grievance Committee or Court may consider it in the future in determining the action to be taken or the discipline to be imposed upon a subsequent finding of misconduct.

Formal Charges

For serious misconduct, formal public charges may be brought against an attorney by the New York Attorney Grievance Committee. A hearing will likely be involved, increasing the complexity and costliness of the case. Potential outcomes can include:

  • Suspension
  • Public Censure
  • Disbarment

Your best defense against lawyer grievances is a well-equipped attorney on your side, so reach out today for your detailed strategy session with NY ethics attorney, David A. Lewis.

David A. Lewis
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Protect Your Legal Career

Why hire David instead of acting on your own?

While a substantial number of initial complaints are ultimately dismissed, that’s not a guaranteed outcome. Minimizing risk as much as possible will ultimately lead to the best result.

Consider this: 

  1. Do you want to risk the consequences of potentially mishandling a defense against an unwarranted Attorney Grievance Complaint?
  2. Do you want to risk potentially raising other unexpected red flags that could trigger further investigation, even when you have nothing to hide?

What David provides is not just a basic defense—it’s a personalized legal strategy tailored to your unique circumstances and built to preserve your reputation and your career.

As one of New York’s top bar admissions, character and fitness, and legal ethics attorneys, David has extensive experience in the very environments where these complaints take shape. 

Whether you need a comprehensive defense strategy against lawyer grievances, basic character and fitness guidance, or professional direction regarding bar admissions, this is where peace of mind can be found.  

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Get More Help

Amend A Law School Application

Representation Before The New York Board of Law Examiners (NYBOLE)

Seek A Waiver Of Strict Compliance For Bar Admission From The New York State Court Of Appeals

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David’s Accolades

Rated 4.8 out of 5 Stars by Peers on Martindale-Hubbell

Former Chair of the Professional Responsibility Committee

Rated by Super Lawyers Magazine for Over a Decade

Superb Rating of 10 on Avvo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What constitutes professional misconduct for lawyers in New York?
Professional misconduct is generally defined as any violation of any of the Rules of Professional Conduct, including the violation of any rule or announced standard of the Appellate Division governing the personal or professional conduct of attorneys, within the meaning of Judiciary Law §90(2).
Who receives complaints about attorneys in New York?

The Attorney Grievance Committees in New York State, organized by department and the counties they serve, are as follows:

First Department:

Attorney Grievance Committee, First Department:

Counties: New York (Manhattan) and Bronx

Second Department:

Grievance Committee for the 2nd Judicial District:

Counties: Kings (Brooklyn)

Grievance Committee for the 9th Judicial District:

Counties: Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Putnam

Grievance Committee for the 10th Judicial District:

Counties: Nassau and Suffolk

Grievance Committee for the 11th Judicial District:

Counties: Queens

Grievance Committee for the 13th Judicial District:

Counties: Richmond (Staten Island)

Third Department:

Committee on Professional Standards, Third Department:

Counties: Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, Delaware, Otsego, Schenectady, Montgomery, Fulton, Saratoga, Warren, Washington, Essex, Clinton, Franklin, Hamilton, and St. Lawrence

Fourth Department:

Grievance Committee for the 4th Judicial District:

Counties: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, St. Lawrence, Warren, and Washington

Grievance Committee for the 5th Judicial District:

Counties: Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Onondaga, and Oswego

Grievance Committee for the 7th Judicial District:

Counties: Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, and Yates

Grievance Committee for the 8th Judicial District:

Counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming

What are NY Bar Association complaints?
The New York Bar Association (NYSBA) is not a disciplinary body, so complaints about attorney conduct are handled by the New York Attorney Grievance Committee. “NY Bar Association Complaint” is actually a misnomer and does not accurately reflect the process by which such grievances are addressed.
How should I respond to a grievance or complaint?
Obtain legal counsel for assistance in crafting an appropriate response to the applicable party(s). Your defense against lawyer grievances can significantly impact the outcome of your situation. If the issue is not addressed promptly, it may worsen over time, resulting in lost billable hours, damage to your reputation, and potential threats to your practice.
What are the potential consequences of a complaint with the New York Attorney Grievance Committee?
Complaint dismissal is a favorable possibility, but other outcomes can include a Letter of Advisement, private admonition, public discipline, suspension, or disbarment. A New York ethics attorney can guide you in your defense against lawyer grievances to reduce the risk of serious disciplinary action.
Do I only need to worry about the specific allegations in the complaint, or should I also consider the broader context?
Lawyers can face disciplinary action for conduct that was not even a part of the original complaint. An investigation can subsequently discover other violations of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct. Deficiencies in engagement letters, conflicts of interest, or trust account violations are examples of potential issues that may be revealed.
How can an ethics attorney help if I’m facing an ethics complaint?
A New York ethics attorney can help you prepare an appropriate, comprehensive response and defense against lawyer grievances. They can also offer guidance on how to address follow-up inquiries and develop a strategy to minimize potential negative consequences. For the best chance of a favorable outcome, seek experienced representation from David A. Lewis.
How long do I have to respond to a complaint from the New York Attorney Grievance Committee?
In New York, each department has its own deadlines for responses, typically ranging from 14 to 20 days. However, a careful and thorough response is crucial, so consulting an ethics attorney as soon as you receive notice of a complaint can help ensure that your response is comprehensive and submitted on time, thereby preventing further issues.
How can I contact David A. Lewis for defense against lawyer grievances?
Please reach out to David at 212-951-1819 to discuss your situation. You can schedule a confidential strategy session or complete this contact form, and David will get back to you if you are a good fit for his services.

Where To Next?

Now that you understand how Professional Conduct Complaints representation works, you may want to learn about other services related to Legal Ethics Counseling.

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