Lawyer Admits Messing with Client Money; Resigns from Bar

Matter of Christopher W. Meyers

Second Dept.
Admitted to Bar: 1989

Discipline imposed: Resignation from Bar accepted

THE FACTS

The respondent resigned from the Bar (gave up being an attorney) in the face of a pending investigation by the Grievance Committee into his professional misconduct.

Several of his clients alleged neglect of legal matters and/or conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

He is also the subject of a complaint of a staff member of the Mental Health Association of Westchester that he failed to account for funds that he maintained in trust for an individual for whom the Mental Health Association was subsequently appointed to manage finances.

Meyers admitted that he engaged in fraudulent conduct to prevent discovery of his personal use of trust fund money without permission.

Commentary: The courts take seriously lawyers’ handling of money that’s not theirs. Usually we receive money to hold in trust or escrow as part of a real estate deal or settlement of a personal injury case. Playing with client trust or escrow money almost always results in disbarment, which probably would have happened here if Meyers hadn’t resigned first. Note that he still has to pay back the money.

The courts take seriously lawyers’ handling of money that’s not theirs. Usually we receive money to hold in trust or escrow as part of a real estate deal or settlement of a personal injury case. Playing with client trust or escrow money almost always results in disbarment, which probably would have happened here if Meyers hadn’t resigned first. Note that he still has to pay back the money.

It’s sad that a lawyer’s professional career goes down the drain because of greed. Frequently this happens because of money troubles relating to some sort of substance problem or addiction; we don’t know if that is the case here.

From: New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx)

New York attorney Gary E. Rosenberg (personal injury and accident attorney and lawyer; serving Brooklyn Queens Bronx)