New York Law Watch
Week ending March 7, 2026
12 decision records: 6 meet the substance floor; 6 records are held from search listings.
Decision dates in this week run from March 2, 2026 to March 6, 2026, from 5 courts.
By court
Appellate Division, First Department
- Matter of Ponder252 AD3d 74
The court granted the Attorney Grievance Committee’s motion for reciprocal discipline, disbaring respondent Brian Lamar Ponder from the practice of law in New York. The court found that respondent’s misconduct in Oklahoma, including pursuing frivolous claims and failing to appear for hearings, constituted violations of New York’s Rules of Professional Conduct and warranted disbarment.
- Matter of Jeang252 AD3d 67
The court granted the Attorney Grievance Committee’s motion for reciprocal discipline, disbarbing the respondent from the practice of law in New York. This decision was based on her disbarment in California for willfully misappropriating over $4 million in escrow funds and submitting falsified evidence to the court.
- Matter of Cardillo252 AD3d 61
The court granted the Attorney Grievance Committee’s motion for interim suspension because bank records and testimony provided uncontroverted evidence that the respondent converted client settlement funds belonging to A.C. and replenished the shortfall using funds from another client. The court declined to suspend based on the disputed $4.7 million transaction with X.Z. at this stage, as those issues required credibility assessments and contract interpretation reserved for a full disciplinary hearing.
- Matter of Dunphy252 AD3d 32
The court granted the Attorney Grievance Committee’s motion for reciprocal discipline, imposing a public censure on the respondent for his failure to cooperate with Connecticut disciplinary authorities. The court determined that the respondent’s misconduct in Connecticut also violated New York’s Rules of Professional Conduct and that a public censure was commensurate with the reprimand issued in the foreign jurisdiction.
- Matter of Cantor252 AD3d 27
The court granted the parties’ joint motion for discipline by consent, imposing an 18-month suspension on the respondent for unauthorized practice of law while suspended. The suspension was made effective nunc pro tunc to October 14, 2024, the date the respondent ceased practicing.
Appellate Division, Third Department
- Matter of People v Commons West, LLC252 AD3d 190
The source-of-income discrimination law is facially unconstitutional because it indirectly compels landlords to consent to warrantless searches of their properties and records as a condition of participating in the Section 8 program. This requirement violates landlords’ Fourth Amendment rights, and a voluntary administrative policy does not cure the statute’s facial invalidity.
Also decided
- P.P.S. v C.J.G. 89 Misc 3d 1154 March 6, 2026
- GUERRERO v MARTUSCELLO 252 AD3d 54 March 5, 2026
- Matter of Henderson 252 AD3d 39 March 5, 2026
- Matter of Bland 252 AD3d 23 March 5, 2026
- GAGLIANO v BD. OF ELECTIONS 90 Misc 3d 353 March 2, 2026
- GILG v MANZELLA 89 Misc 3d 1086 March 2, 2026
Published March 7, 2026. Updated November 14, 2026.