The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York has accepted the resignation of attorney Donald Lawrence Munn. The court ruled on May 14, 2026, that Munn's resignation will take effect immediately and is for nondisciplinary reasons. This decision impacts Munn, who has been a practicing attorney since 1990, and signifies a formal end to his legal career in New York.

Donald Lawrence Munn, who is based in Ontario, Canada, submitted his resignation application to the court, which was not opposed by the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department. This situation raises questions about the reasons behind Munn's resignation and the implications for his legal practice.

Background

Donald Lawrence Munn was admitted to practice law in New York in 1990. He has maintained a business address in Ontario, Canada, as noted in his attorney registration. The Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department (AGC) is responsible for overseeing attorney conduct in New York and addressing any grievances against attorneys practicing in the state.

Munn's resignation was submitted as a nondisciplinary action, meaning there were no allegations of misconduct or disciplinary issues leading to his decision. The AGC reviewed Munn's application and determined that they would not oppose it, suggesting that there were no concerns regarding his professional conduct. This case was brought before the Appellate Division, which is responsible for handling such resignations.

The Ruling

The court ruled in favor of Munn's application for resignation, stating, "Munn is eligible to resign for nondisciplinary reasons, we grant his application and accept his resignation." The ruling was issued by a panel of judges, including Pritzker, J.P., Ceresia, Powers, Mackey, and Ryba. The court’s decision means that Munn's name will be stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in New York.

As part of the ruling, the court ordered that Munn must refrain from practicing law in any capacity within the state. This includes not appearing as an attorney before any court or public authority and not providing legal opinions or advice. The court also mandated that Munn surrender any Attorney Secure Pass issued to him within 30 days.

Impact

This ruling has immediate implications for Munn, as he is now officially prohibited from practicing law in New York. While Munn has not faced any disciplinary action, the acceptance of his resignation indicates that he has chosen to step away from his legal career in the state. It is important to note that nondisciplinary resignations are less common, as many attorneys resign due to issues related to misconduct or other professional challenges.

The court's decision does not set a new legal precedent but reinforces the process for attorneys seeking to resign from the bar in New York. It highlights the importance of the AGC's role in reviewing such applications and ensuring that resignations are handled appropriately when no disciplinary issues are present.

What's Next

Details were not available in the court filing regarding any potential appeals or related cases. However, Munn's resignation is effective immediately, and he is expected to comply with the court's orders without further legal proceedings.