Lawyer Who Forged Judge’s Signature Suspended for 18 Months

A New York lawyer who forged a bankruptcy judge’s signature on a fabricated temporary restraining order was suspended for 18 months by a state appeals court.

Irene Marie Costello presented significant mitigating factors but “forgery of a judge’s signature constitutes serious professional misconduct,” the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, Second Department, said Oct. 6. Her suspension will begin Nov. 8.

Costello alleged she forged the judge’s signature to calm her client, who was anxious about the case, and never filed the order with any court.

When the document came to light, Costello negotiated a stipulation and order, and ...