Legal Ethics

Disgraced Former New York Attorney General Has Law License Suspended

The suspension comes after an investigation into abuse allegations.

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Eric Schneiderman (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was forced to resign from his position in 2018 following a scandal in which four women accused him of physically abusing them in the course of their relationships. Ultimately, the special prosecutor appointed to look into the allegations, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas, said Schneiderman would not face criminal charges (pesky statute of limitations), but that doesn’t mean there were no consequences for his actions.

According to an order issued by the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division for the First Judicial Department, the former AG has agreed to a one-year suspension of his law license, following a petition of charges filed against him by the Attorney Grievance Committee in August 2020. The order reportedly contains an affidavit submitted by Schneiderman “acknowledging his admission” to certain facts:

“Between July 2013 and December 2014, respondent was involved in a long-term, consensual sexual relationship with M.B. On a number of occasions during their relationship respondent slapped M.B, placed his hands on her neck and applied pressure without obtaining consent, and at times he was verbally and emotionally abusive,” the order states.

And:

“Between August 2016 and September 2017, respondent was involved in a longterm, consensual sexual relationship with T.S.,” the order states. “During their relationship, respondent slapped T.S., placed his hands on her neck and applied pressure without obtaining consent, and at times he was verbally and emotionally abusive.”

Schneiderman also admitted he “slapped an unidentified attorney twice” in the course of a 2016 romantic encounter.

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Schneiderman’s one-year suspension begins May 28, 2021. And the court took it a step further:

“It is further ordered that during his period of suspension, and until further order of this Court respondent is commanded to desist and refrain from the practice of law in any form, either as principal or agent, clerk or employee of another; that respondent is forbidden to appear as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, judge, justice, board, commission or other public authority; and respondent is forbidden to give to another an opinion as to the law or its application or any advice in relation thereto.”

Schneiderman’s actions were found to be a violation of the rules of professional conduct’s prohibition of “conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer’s fitness as a lawyer.”

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