A New York appellate court has accepted the resignation of attorney Andrey V. Kuznetsov from the New York bar. The decision, made on October 8, 2026, allows Kuznetsov to resign for nondisciplinary reasons. This ruling affects Kuznetsov's ability to practice law in New York and establishes a clear directive for his future conduct.

The court's decision is significant as it underscores the process by which attorneys can resign from the bar without facing disciplinary actions. Kuznetsov's case illustrates that attorneys can voluntarily step away from their legal careers under certain conditions.

Background

Andrey V. Kuznetsov was admitted to practice law in New York in 2012 and had been practicing from a business address in Houston, Texas. The Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department (AGC) was involved in the process, as Kuznetsov sought to resign without any disciplinary actions against him. In his affidavit, filed on August 20, 2026, Kuznetsov expressed his desire to resign.

The AGC reviewed Kuznetsov's application and determined that it did not oppose his request for resignation. This lack of opposition from the AGC suggests that Kuznetsov's resignation was a mutual decision rather than a response to any legal or ethical violations. The case was brought before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, which ultimately made the final ruling.

The Ruling

The court ruled in favor of Kuznetsov's application, stating, "We grant his application and accept his resignation." This decision was made by a panel of judges including Aarons, J.P., Ceresia, Fisher, Powers, and Corcoran. The judges confirmed that Kuznetsov was eligible to resign for nondisciplinary reasons.

In the ruling, the court ordered that Kuznetsov's name be stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in New York, effective immediately. The court also mandated that Kuznetsov must refrain from practicing law in any capacity within the state. Specifically, the court stated, "Kuznetsov is hereby forbidden to appear as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, judge, justice, board, commission or other public authority."

Impact

This ruling has immediate implications for Kuznetsov, who is now prohibited from practicing law in New York. It also serves as a reminder to other attorneys that resigning from the bar is possible under nondisciplinary circumstances. The decision may encourage other attorneys who are considering resignation to pursue this option, knowing that the process can be straightforward if there are no disciplinary issues.

Moreover, the ruling reinforces the authority of the AGC in handling attorney resignations and highlights the importance of adhering to the rules set forth in the Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters. It sets a precedent that allows attorneys to resign without facing punitive measures, provided they follow the proper procedures.

What's Next

As of now, there is no indication that Kuznetsov will appeal this decision. The court has accepted his resignation, and he is expected to comply with the order to surrender any Attorney Secure Pass issued to him. There are no related cases pending that were mentioned in the court filing.