Summary
This Appellate Division, Third Department order addresses a motion by the Attorney Grievance Committee seeking discipline against attorney Alec Andrew Rimer based on prior disciplinary reprimands he received in Connecticut. Because the respondent failed to submit opposition papers or demonstrate why discipline should not be imposed in New York, the court found he waived his available defenses. Noting the respondent's pattern of misconduct and disregard for ethical rules and registration obligations, the court granted the motion and issued a censure to protect the public and maintain professional integrity.
Topics
Practice areas
Questions Presented
- Whether the Appellate Division may impose a censure based on out‑of‑state disciplinary findings when the respondent fails to respond to the motion.
Holdings
- The motion of the Attorney Grievance Committee is granted and the respondent is censured.
Key quotations
“Accordingly, we grant AGC's motion in this regard and turn to the imposition of a sanction.” (1)
“Accordingly, in order to protect the public, maintain the honor and integrity of the profession and to deter others from engaging in similar misconduct, we now additionally censure respondent.” (1)
Factual background
Alec Andrew Rimer, a suspended New York attorney, has a history of biennial registration delinquency and multiple reprimands by Connecticut disciplinary authorities. He failed to comply with a New York Attorney Grievance Committee motion seeking additional discipline and did not submit any defenses.
Procedural history
The respondent was suspended by this Court in 2019 for registration delinquency. Subsequent Connecticut disciplinary actions were taken. AGC filed a motion for additional discipline; respondent did not oppose.