New York Judge Peels Back Curtain on Attorney Misconduct Cases

A New York appellate judge ruled that those who bring complaints against attorneys in discipline cases have a First Amendment right to attend hearings related to their cases, view documents necessary to understand proceedings, and see some final dispositions.

Public review is essential to hold accountable judges overseeing the process, who are elected to serve fourteen-year terms on the bench and are appointed to their spots by an also-elected governor, the court ruled. The Monday decision applies specifically to the New York Supreme Court Second Appellate Department, which considers whether to publicly discipline attorneys after hearing recommendations from an Attorney ...