Liebowitz Legal Disciplinary Actions and Disbarment
The legal career of Liebowitz has been marked by a series of severe disciplinary actions and judicial rebukes. Over several years, multiple judges in the Southern District of New York have scrutinized his approach to legal practice, leading to significant financial penalties and, ultimately, the loss of his license to practice law.
Key Facts
- Disbarment: Officially disbarred by the New York Appellate Division, Second Department, on March 13, 2024.
- Financial Sanctions: Ordered to pay $103,517.49 in sanctions by Judge Jesse Furman.
- Judicial Labels: Described by Judge Denise Cote as a copyright troll (a party that uses copyright lawsuits to extract settlements rather than protect intellectual property).
- Court Contempt: Held in contempt of court for providing false information regarding a family death to excuse a court absence.
A Pattern of Judicial Disapproval
Courts have repeatedly expressed disapproval of Liebowitz's methods. In one instance, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan ordered a client of Liebowitz to pay the opposing party's legal fees, citing frivolous litigation—lawsuits that lack any legal basis or merit. Judge Denise Cote further penalized Liebowitz with fines and mandatory ethics classes after identifying him as a copyright troll.
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Escalating Sanctions in the Southern District of New York
By 2019, the legal system in the Southern District of New York had developed a significant body of case law specifically addressing when and how to impose sanctions on Liebowitz. In September 2019, Judge Cathy Seibel held him in contempt of court after determining he had lied about the date of his grandfather's death to justify missing a court appearance.
The Path to Disbarment
The situation reached a critical point in June 2020, when Judge Jesse Furman issued a comprehensive 61-page opinion. The judge concluded that Liebowitz had repeatedly lied about complying with court orders and had violated at least six separate directives. Judge Furman noted that sanctions short of disbarment might be insufficient to prevent further misconduct.
As a result, the court ordered Liebowitz to pay $103,517.49 and required him to distribute the opinion to all his clients and file it in all his active cases. These sanctions were later affirmed by the Second Circuit in mid-2021.
Final Disciplinary Rulings
Following Judge Furman's referral to the Grievance Committee, Liebowitz faced a series of suspensions. On November 30, 2020, the Grievance Committee of the Southern District of New York suspended him pending disciplinary charges. This was followed by an immediate suspension from the New York Appellate Division, Second Department, on November 3, 2021.
The process concluded on March 13, 2024, when the New York Appellate Division, Second Department, officially disbarred Liebowitz following a formal hearing.
| Date | Authority | Action/Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| September 2019 | Judge Cathy Seibel | Held in contempt of court |
| June 2020 | Judge Jesse Furman | $103,517.49 in sanctions |
| November 30, 2020 | Grievance Committee (SDNY) | Suspension from practice |
| November 3, 2021 | NY Appellate Division, 2nd Dept | Immediate suspension |
| March 13, 2024 | NY Appellate Division, 2nd Dept | Disbarment |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Liebowitz disbarred?
Liebowitz was disbarred following a history of misconduct, including lying to the court, violating multiple court orders, and engaging in practices described as frivolous litigation and copyright trolling.
What is a "copyright troll" in this context?
In the case of Liebowitz, Judge Denise Cote used this term to describe a legal strategy focused on filing copyright infringement lawsuits to force settlements rather than legitimately protecting intellectual property.
How much was Liebowitz fined in sanctions?
Judge Jesse Furman ordered Liebowitz to pay $103,517.49 in sanctions due to his repeated failure to comply with court orders and dishonesty regarding that compliance.
What happened after the 2020 sanctions were issued?
The sanctions were affirmed by the Second Circuit in 2021. Additionally, the matter was referred to the Grievance Committee, leading to temporary suspensions and eventually his permanent disbarment in 2024.
Did Liebowitz face contempt of court charges?
Yes, in September 2019, Judge Cathy Seibel held him in contempt for lying about the date of his grandfather's death to excuse his absence from court.