On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department granted a motion to disbar attorney Simon Kabzan, following allegations of professional misconduct. The court found that Kabzan had neglected a legal matter and engaged in dishonest behavior, which adversely affected his fitness to practice law.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Simon Kabzan.” with case no. 2024-05751.
The disciplinary proceeding against Kabzan was initiated by the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts. The committee served Kabzan with a notice of petition and a verified petition on July 2, 2024, which included two charges of professional misconduct. These charges claimed that Kabzan failed to finalize a divorce case for nearly six years and misrepresented the status of the proceedings to his client by sending documents that falsely indicated a judgment of divorce.
Despite being given 20 days to respond to the petition, Kabzan did not file an answer nor did he request an extension. As a result, the Grievance Committee moved to have the charges deemed established due to his failure to respond, a motion that was duly served to him on August 1, 2024. Kabzan did not oppose this motion or provide any response.
The court’s ruling deemed the allegations against Kabzan as established based on his default in responding to the petition. As a consequence, the court decided to impose immediate disbarment, officially striking his name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.
In addition to disbarment, the court issued several orders regarding Kabzan’s conduct following this decision. He is required to comply with the rules that govern disbarred or suspended attorneys and is commanded to refrain from practicing law in any capacity. This includes not appearing as an attorney before any judicial authority, providing legal opinions, or holding himself out as an attorney.
The court also specified that if Kabzan possessed a secure pass issued by the Office of Court Administration, it must be returned promptly. He is required to certify this return in an affidavit of compliance.
The Disposition states:
“Accordingly, the Grievance Committee’s motion to deem the charges against the respondent established based upon his default is granted, the charges in the petition dated June 3, 2024, are deemed established, and, effective immediately, the respondent is disbarred and his name is stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Kabzan is a criminal defense attorney in Brooklyn, New York. He acquired his law license in New York in 2014.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
