A New York appellate court has accepted the resignation of attorney Josefina L. Pasay-Paz, who sought to leave the bar for nondisciplinary reasons. The decision, made on May 7, 2026, affects Pasay-Paz, who has been a licensed attorney since 1989, and marks the end of her legal practice in New York.

The ruling is significant as it illustrates the process by which attorneys can resign from the bar without facing disciplinary actions. This case highlights the importance of maintaining ethical standards within the legal profession while allowing attorneys the option to step back voluntarily.

Background

Josefina L. Pasay-Paz has been a member of the New York bar since her admission in 1989. She is based in Makati City, Philippines, and has maintained her business address with the Office of Court Administration. The Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department (AGC) was involved in the process as Pasay-Paz filed her application to resign.

The dispute arose when Pasay-Paz decided to resign from her position as an attorney. She submitted her resignation application to the court, which was reviewed by the AGC. The AGC did not oppose her request, indicating there were no outstanding disciplinary issues related to her resignation.

The case was brought before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The court reviewed her affidavit and the AGC's correspondence before making a determination on her application. The court's decision was made during a calendar date hearing on May 4, 2026.

The Ruling

The court ruled in favor of Pasay-Paz's application for resignation, stating, "Upon reading Pasay-Paz's affidavit... and having determined that Pasay-Paz is eligible to resign for nondisciplinary reasons, we grant her application and accept her resignation." This ruling was issued by a panel of judges, including Pritzker, J.P., Ceresia, Fisher, McShan, and Corcoran.

As part of the ruling, the court ordered that Pasay-Paz's name be stricken from the roll of attorneys in New York, effective immediately. The decision also commanded her to refrain from practicing law in any capacity within the state and to surrender any Attorney Secure Pass issued to her within 30 days.

Impact

The acceptance of Pasay-Paz's resignation sets a clear precedent for attorneys wishing to resign for nondisciplinary reasons. It demonstrates that the legal system allows for such resignations without punitive measures, provided there are no outstanding issues. This ruling could encourage other attorneys in similar situations to consider resigning rather than facing disciplinary actions.

Furthermore, the decision reinforces the importance of maintaining the integrity of the legal profession. By allowing attorneys to resign voluntarily, the court upholds the ethical standards expected of legal practitioners while providing a pathway for those who wish to step away from their practice.

What's Next

Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether Pasay-Paz plans to appeal the decision or if there are any related cases pending. However, since her resignation was accepted for nondisciplinary reasons, it is unlikely that an appeal would be pursued.