Summary
The Appellate Division, First Department granted Steven Cullen Bennett’s application to resign as a New York attorney pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.10. The court ordered that he be disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys, effective nunc pro tunc to October 17, 2025, and directed him to comply with the rules governing disbarred attorneys.
Topics
Practice areas
Questions Presented
- Whether Bennett's affidavit of resignation conformed to the requirements of 22 NYCRR 1240.10.
- Whether the court should accept Bennett's resignation and order that he be disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of New York attorneys.
Holdings
- Because Bennett's affidavit conformed to the requirements of 22 NYCRR 1240.10, the court accepted his resignation.
- Acceptance of Bennett's resignation resulted in his disbarment and the striking of his name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, effective nunc pro tunc to October 17, 2025.
Key quotations
“As respondent's affidavit conforms with 22 NYCRR 1240.10, the Court accepts his resignation” ([*1])
“respondent is disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective nunc pro tunc to October 17, 2025, and until further order of this Court” ([*1])
Factual background
Steven Cullen Bennett was admitted to the New York bar by the Third Department in 1991 and maintained an address within the First Department. He was the subject of an Attorney Grievance Committee investigation involving allegations that he failed to answer a grievance complaint in Connecticut, failed to submit to an audit, and failed to complete three hours of continuing legal education. Bennett had resigned from the practice of law in Connecticut effective June 30, 2025, and submitted a voluntary resignation affidavit acknowledging the allegations and the consequences of resignation.
Procedural history
The Attorney Grievance Committee instituted disciplinary proceedings against Steven Cullen Bennett and supported his application to resign. Bennett submitted an affidavit of resignation acknowledging an ongoing investigation into alleged professional misconduct and stating that he could not successfully defend against the allegations. The Appellate Division accepted the resignation, granted the application, and ordered Bennett disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys nunc pro tunc to October 17, 2025.