On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department disbarred attorney Lisbeth Ann Freeman from practicing law in the state.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Lisbeth Ann Freeman,” with case no. PM-206-24.

Freeman had been licensed to practice law in New York since 2010 but faced suspension for failure to register as an attorney between 2020 and 2021. She is also licensed in Florida, though she was disbarred there in January 2021 for neglecting a client’s legal matter and refusing to cooperate with the state bar’s investigation.

The incident began in February 2017 when Freeman agreed to handle probate and estate planning for an 85-year-old client in Florida, receiving $5,000 to initiate the work. However, she performed minimal tasks and failed to act further on the man’s behalf. At some point, Freeman relocated to Pennsylvania without informing her client or closing out the representation.

When the client was unable to reach Freeman in July 2018, he filed a complaint with the Florida Bar. Freeman responded initially but then refused to cooperate with the bar’s inquiry. This led to an order of contempt in December 2019 that suspended her license until she fully addressed the complaints.

In June 2020, the Florida Bar brought formal charges of rule violations against Freeman, including failure to update her contact information, diligence, client communication, and response to the disciplinary investigation. As Freeman did not participate, the referee recommended disbarment, which the state Supreme Court confirmed in January 2021.

Based on this misconduct established in Florida, the New York disciplinary committee sought to impose reciprocal discipline on Freeman. However, she did not respond to oppose the reciprocal action. The New York Court found Freeman’s client neglect and failure to cooperate with investigations aggravated her situation. Given her pattern of disregard for her fate as an attorney across jurisdictions, the court ruled to disbar Freeman in New York as well.

The Disposition states:

“ORDERED that respondent is disbarred and her name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law of the State of New York, effective immediately.”

According to avvo.com, Ms. Freeman attended the Vermont Law School, graduating in 2009. She acquired her law license in New York in 2010.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.