New Suspension for N.Y. Lawyer Who Practiced While Suspended

A New York lawyer who practiced law while temporarily suspended over his response to alleged trust account violations was given a four-year suspension by a state appeals court.

The usual sanction for the unauthorized practice of law is disbarment, but Claude Castro’s behavior is “distinguishable,” the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, First Department said in its Thursday opinion.

Castro’s interim suspension in 2017 resulted from his failure to cooperate with state disciplinary authorities looking into claims he misappropriated almost $60,000 in client funds, the court said.

After the client filed a complaint, an investigation of the trust account ...