An Auburn attorney has had her license suspended for illegally spending funds meant for her attorney trust account.
In a decision filed Nov. 9, the Grievance Committee of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department ordered that Lisa A. Blair will not be allowed to practice law for three years after she pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor of petit larceny in Cayuga County Court.
Blair admitted in May that she accepted funds on behalf of a client for deposit into her attorney trust account, but then used some of the money for personal purposes.
Funds were deposited into the trust account between September 2005 and September 2006 before Blair issued the client two bad checks in return.
She was sentenced to three years of probation for the plea.
In its decision, the Grievance Committee, which is responsible for the professional oversight of attorneys practicing in Cayuga County, determined that “petit larceny is a serious crime.”
Attorney trust accounts are special accounts in which attorneys can hold a client's money as a trustee.
Attorneys are required to separate client funds from their own, and attorneys must promptly give back funds to clients, according to the New York Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection.
The Grievance Committee stated in its decision that Blair's suspension should last three years, effective May 22, or until her probation is terminated - whichever comes first.
Blair admitted in May that she accepted funds on behalf of a client for deposit into her attorney trust account, but then used some of the money for personal purposes.
Funds were deposited into the trust account between September 2005 and September 2006 before Blair issued the client two bad checks in return.
She was sentenced to three years of probation for the plea.
In its decision, the Grievance Committee, which is responsible for the professional oversight of attorneys practicing in Cayuga County, determined that “petit larceny is a serious crime.”
Attorney trust accounts are special accounts in which attorneys can hold a client's money as a trustee.
Attorneys are required to separate client funds from their own, and attorneys must promptly give back funds to clients, according to the New York Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection.
The Grievance Committee stated in its decision that Blair's suspension should last three years, effective May 22, or until her probation is terminated - whichever comes first.
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