The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York has disbarred attorney Warren Barry Kahn, effective immediately. This decision follows Kahn's prior disbarment in New Jersey for serious misconduct involving the misappropriation of client funds. The ruling affects Kahn's ability to practice law in New York and underscores the importance of attorney accountability.
Kahn, who was admitted to the New York Bar in 1970, faced disciplinary action after the Supreme Court of New Jersey found that he had knowingly misappropriated escrow funds from his attorney trust account. The New Jersey court's decision, dated January 29, 2025, came after Kahn consented to disbarment, acknowledging that he could not defend against the allegations.
The case reached the New York court following the disciplinary actions taken in New Jersey. The court issued an order on July 24, 2025, requiring Kahn to respond regarding the imposition of reciprocal discipline in New York. However, Kahn did not respond to the order, leading the court to proceed with disciplinary measures based on the findings from New Jersey.
The court ruled that Kahn's actions warranted disbarment in New York as well. The opinion stated, "the imposition of reciprocal discipline is warranted" due to the serious nature of Kahn's misconduct. The judges involved in the ruling were Hector D. Lasalle, Mark C. Dillon, Colleen D. Duffy, Betsy Barros, and Helen Voutsinas.
As a result of the ruling, Kahn's name has been struck from the roll of attorneys in New York. The court emphasized that he must comply with the rules governing the conduct of disbarred attorneys. This includes refraining from practicing law in any capacity and returning any secure passes issued by the Office of Court Administration.
This ruling serves as a reminder of the legal profession's standards and the consequences of failing to uphold them. The disbarment of Kahn not only affects him personally but also reinforces the integrity of the legal system by ensuring that attorneys who engage in misconduct face appropriate penalties.
Going forward, this decision impacts Kahn's ability to ever seek reinstatement to practice law in New York. The ruling aligns with the precedent that disbarment in one state often leads to similar consequences in another, particularly when the misconduct is severe. The court's decision highlights the importance of maintaining ethical standards within the legal profession.
Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether Kahn plans to appeal this decision or if there are related cases pending. However, the ruling is significant as it reflects the judiciary's commitment to upholding the law and protecting the public from attorneys who violate ethical standards.