On Wednesday, March 27, 2024, the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York granted Donald Braun’s application to resign from the bar and immediately disbarred him from practicing law.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Donald Braun,” with case no. 2023-08586.
Braun was facing allegations related to misappropriation of client funds from two individuals, Holly H. Tsuei and Liza Jones-Kanu, totaling over $246,000. According to court documents, he admitted there may have been additional client funds misappropriated or misapplied due to incomplete accounting of client funds held in his escrow account.
In his application to resign, Braun acknowledged being under investigation by the Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District regarding three complaints. The complaints alleged misappropriation of client funds, commingling personal funds with client money received as part of legal work, and engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Braun maintained in his resignation application that he was a victim of a fraudulent scheme that induced him to withdraw cash from his escrow account. However, he admitted being unable to successfully defend himself against the allegations. As part of resigning, Braun agreed to not contest being disbarred or object to the resignation being made public record.
The court’s decision also included restitution orders for Braun to reimburse two clients. He must pay back $60,209 to Tsuei and $186,349.89 to Jones-Kanu directly. Braun is also responsible for compensating the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection if it provided any awards to the clients due to his misconduct. He consented to the court maintaining jurisdiction over this issue.
Going forward, Braun is prohibited from practicing law, representing clients, handling any fiduciary accounts, or holding himself out as an attorney under judiciary law. The order further allows the restitution amounts to be entered as a civil judgment against Braun to enable enforcement.
The Disposition states:
“ORDERED that the application of the respondent, Donald Braun, to resign as an attorney and counselor-at-law is granted; and it is further, ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law, effective immediately, the respondent, Donald Braun, is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Donald Braun was a real estate attorney in Katonah, NY. He attended the Suny Buffalo Law School. He acquired his law license in New York in 1976.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
