The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York has accepted the resignation of attorney Raymond Paul Yamin. This decision, made on May 7, 2026, allows Yamin to resign from the New York bar for nondisciplinary reasons. The ruling affects Yamin's ability to practice law in New York and marks the end of his legal career in the state.
Yamin was admitted to practice law in New York in 1991 and had listed his business address in Danbury, Connecticut. His resignation comes after he filed an affidavit on March 17, 2026, indicating his desire to step down from his legal practice. The Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, which oversees attorney conduct, did not oppose Yamin's application to resign.
The case, docketed as PM-97-26, was reviewed by a panel of judges including Pritzker, Ceresia, Fisher, McShan, and Corcoran. The court's decision to accept Yamin's resignation emphasizes the importance of maintaining ethical standards within the legal profession. The ruling allows Yamin to leave the bar without any disciplinary action against him, which is significant in the context of attorney resignations.
Background
Raymond Paul Yamin, who had been practicing law for over three decades, sought to resign from the New York bar for nondisciplinary reasons. The Attorney Grievance Committee (AGC) for the Third Judicial Department reviewed his application and determined that there were no objections to his resignation. This committee is responsible for overseeing attorney conduct and ensuring that legal practitioners adhere to professional standards.
The process for resigning from the bar in New York requires an attorney to submit an affidavit stating their reasons for resignation. In Yamin's case, he filed his affidavit on March 17, 2026, and followed up with correspondence to the AGC. The court's ruling indicates that Yamin met the necessary criteria for resignation without facing any disciplinary actions.
Yamin's resignation is a formal process that includes the court's approval, especially when it is not related to any misconduct. The AGC's lack of opposition to Yamin's application suggests that his decision to resign was amicable and did not arise from any legal or ethical violations.
The Ruling
The court ruled in favor of Yamin's application to resign, stating, "Upon reading Yamin's affidavit... and having determined that Yamin is eligible to resign for nondisciplinary reasons, we grant his application and accept his resignation." This decision effectively removes Yamin from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in New York.
The ruling also included specific orders that Yamin must follow following his resignation. He is commanded to cease practicing law in any capacity within the state and is forbidden from appearing as an attorney before any court or public authority. Additionally, he must surrender any Attorney Secure Pass issued to him within 30 days of the decision.
Judges on the panel included Pritzker, J.P., Ceresia, Fisher, McShan, and Corcoran, who all concurred in the decision to accept Yamin's resignation. The unanimous ruling reflects the court's agreement on the appropriateness of Yamin's request.
Impact
This ruling has immediate implications for Yamin, as he is now prohibited from practicing law in New York. His resignation, accepted for nondisciplinary reasons, highlights a pathway for attorneys who may wish to leave the profession without facing allegations of misconduct. This decision may encourage other attorneys in similar situations to consider resignation without fear of disciplinary repercussions.
The acceptance of Yamin's resignation also underscores the importance of ethical practices within the legal profession. By allowing attorneys to resign without disciplinary actions, the court acknowledges that there can be valid reasons for leaving the practice of law that do not involve ethical violations. This ruling may serve as a precedent for future cases involving attorney resignations.
What's Next
Yamin's resignation is effective immediately, and he cannot appeal this decision. There are no related cases pending regarding his conduct or any disciplinary actions. The court's ruling concludes his legal career in New York, allowing him to pursue other endeavors outside the legal field.