The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York has denied attorney Harry M. Reichenberg's request to resign from the New York bar. This decision affects Reichenberg, who has been unable to meet the state's attorney registration requirements. The ruling underscores the importance of compliance with legal obligations for practicing attorneys.
On June 4, 2026, the court ruled on Reichenberg's application for a nondisciplinary resignation. He had initially sought to resign for nondisciplinary reasons, but the Attorney Grievance Committee (AGC) opposed this request due to his failure to register for the 2025-2026 biennial period. The case is documented under docket number PM-119-26.
Background
Harry M. Reichenberg was admitted to practice law in New York in 2005 and operates from Gibbsboro, New Jersey. His application for resignation was submitted by affidavit sworn on September 19, 2025. However, the AGC noted that Reichenberg had not fulfilled his registration requirements, which include registering biennially with the Office of Court Administration.
The AGC's opposition to Reichenberg's resignation highlighted that he was delinquent in his registration, having failed to register within 30 days of his birthdate. This failure to register exposed him to potential disciplinary action. Reichenberg responded to the AGC's concerns in subsequent correspondence, but the court ultimately found that his application did not meet the necessary criteria.
The Ruling
The court ruled that Harry M. Reichenberg's application for permission to resign from the New York bar is denied. The judges involved in the decision included Clark, J.P., Pritzker, Ceresia, Mackey, and Corcoran. The ruling emphasized that due to his delinquent registration status, Reichenberg is ineligible for a nondisciplinary resignation.
The court stated, "As Reichenberg's biennial registration remains delinquent and therefore subjects him to potential disciplinary action... he is ineligible for nondisciplinary resignation and his application must be denied."
The judges referenced prior cases to support their decision, noting that any future application by Reichenberg must demonstrate compliance with the registration requirements outlined in Judiciary Law § 468-a and the Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for attorneys who may consider resigning from the bar. It reinforces the necessity for attorneys to maintain their registration and comply with state law to avoid disciplinary actions. The court's decision indicates that failure to meet these obligations can hinder an attorney's ability to resign without facing potential penalties.
Reichenberg's case serves as a reminder to all practicing attorneys in New York about the importance of adhering to registration deadlines and fulfilling all professional responsibilities. The court's ruling could set a precedent for similar cases in the future, emphasizing that compliance is non-negotiable.
What's Next
Harry M. Reichenberg may still appeal this decision, but he will need to address the underlying issues related to his registration status. Details regarding any related cases or future applications were not available in the court filing.