Since L.A. Judge Charles Lee was our Lawyer of 1984, we’re giving a different attorney Lawyer of the Day honors. Joseph Levine of New York is helping to give a bad name to both lawyers and gamblers.

He’s pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny, after stealing more than $400,000 from his clients, including money that was to be used for heart surgery for his client’s daughter. That’s cold.

From Newsday:

“I think this case underscores the pitfalls of compulsive gambling,” said Levine’s attorney, Michael Soshnick of Mineola.

A spokesman for District Attorney Kathleen Rice said Levine advised one of his clients to accept a $300,000 settlement in a personal injury lawsuit. He then asked her insurance carrier for the money immediately, saying she needed it to pay for her daughter’s heart surgery.

After getting the check, Levine returned to New York, forged the signature of his client and her husband and deposited the check in his own bank account, police said.

By the time the client notified the DA’s office, Levine’s bank account stood at -$139.44. Having an account with a negative balance after stealing almost half a million dollars? That’s just embarrassing.

Disbarred attorney pleads guilty to grand larceny [Newsday]
DA: Lawyer Pocketed $300k from Clients [Nassau County District Attorney’s Office]