Counsel to Lawyers & Judges

EXPERIENCE . REPUTATION . RESULTS .

“When the Attorney Grievance Committee Comes Knocking, Let Kaylin Do the Talking.”

Whittingham Law defenses lawyers and judges accused of professional misconduct before the Attorney Grievance Committee and the Judicial Commission. A lawyer’s lawyer, the Firm also acts as outside legal ethics counsel to law firms. We protect reputations and livelihoods, resolve crisis, and manage risk. The Firm leaves “no stone unturned” when preparing and delivering legal services. Thorough investigation, thorough preparation and clear communication are our ingredients for your success.

Our Testimonials

“ Kaylin is the most diligent, thorough and professional attorney I have had the privilege to meet and work with. Her knowledge and experience insure the best possible representation of her clients, especially those with disciplinary issues. She leaves no stone unturned in preparation and will insure the best representation possible for her clients. I highly recommend her!”

“Kaylin is knowledgeable, experienced and practical. She is the go-to attorney, for many lawyers.”

“Kaylin has a passion for attorney professional responsibility. I received an investigation letter from the Disciplinary Committee and did not know how to respond. I turned to Kaylin and I’m very glad I did. Kaylin presented a masterful response to the Disciplinary Committee and clearly managed my expectations and fears. Kaylin not only stayed in contact with the Disciplinary Committee to expedite review but also kept me informed every step of the way. I was thrilled to hear that, based on Kaylin’s response alone, the Committee found there was no basis for taking action and closed the matter. It was a stressful situation but Kaylin’s experience working with the Disciplinary Committee and knowledge of the practice area put me at ease. Thank you Kaylin!”

“Should the unfortunate day ever come when you receive a letter from the Disciplinary Committee, Kaylin is the attorney you want on your side. She is responsive, thorough and spot on in her advice and is generally concerned about the future of her client. She is as good as it gets when it comes to effective and experienced counsel, especially trust account/escrow issues. Simply put, when your license is on the line you want the best-Kaylin Whittingham.”

“Lawyers need lawyers themselves. We can’t advocate for clients if we are unsure of how to advocate for ourselves. When I am tempted to engage in conduct that would not display professionalism; even when I’m right, I pause and call Kaylin Whittingham to get her opinion, so I can get back to what I love—being a true advocate for my clients. At times when it doesn’t smell right, it is not right. I have avoided conflicts and possible thousands of dollars in legal fees and a grievance complaint by picking up the phone and calling Kaylin.”

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Services

Attorney Discipline Defense

Approximately 12,000 grievance complaints are filed against attorneys in New York each year. Although many are dismissed after investigations by the Attorney Grievance Committees or, the attorneys are privately disciplined, obtaining those results are not by chance. Often such results are end products of attorneys timely retaining counsel to represent them.

Attorney Reinstatement

Attorneys who have been suspended for more than six months or, who have been disbarred from the practices of law usually face a grueling readmission process that includes retaking the MPRE and proving once again that they possess the moral character and fitness to practice law. Still, this is not all the attorney seeking admission must prove, the Court’s four prong test also includes proving that it would be in the “public interest to reinstate the respondent.”

Outside Ethics Counsel ( Legal Ethics Lab)

Ethics guidance for solos and small firms akin to the guidance provided by in-house ethics (general) counsels at large and medium firms. This gives smaller firms the same protection that’s given. to large and medium law firms with these “gatekeepers” that protect those firms and their attorneys; thereby, minimizing the risk of grievance complaints and malpractice suits that ultimately can shatter their businesses.

Legal Malpractice Defense

Notwithstanding a lawyer’s best efforts, a client may nevertheless bring claims against that attorney alleging negligence and a breach of fiduciary duty. Sometimes the legal malpractice suit stems from a verdict or outcome that’s unfavorable for the client, or a change in position by the client after the fact, other times it is a counterclaim in an attorney fee dispute suit. In other words, a legal malpractice claim can result from any type of case where a lawyer represents a client from simply drafting a Will, to a negotiating a real estate deal, or representing a client in a complex litigation action.

Counsel to Lawyers & Judges

Our Testimonials

As Seen or Featured

Services

Attorney Discipline Defense

Attorney Reinstatement

Outside Ethics Counsel ( Legal Ethics Lab)

Legal Malpractice Defense

Reported Decisions

Matter of Banji, 2014 N.Y. App. Div. 3704 (1st Dep’t May 22, 2014).

Matter of Filosa, 112 A.D.3d 162 (1st Dep’t 2013).

Matter of Hession, 111 A.D.3d 137 (1st Dep’t 2013).

Matter of Bruzdziak, 111 A.D.3d 118 (1st Dep’t 2013).

Matter of Telemaque, 110 A.D.3d 210 (1st Dep’t 2013).

Matter of Davis, 109 A.D.3d 154 (1st Dep’t 2013).

Matter of Knudsen, 109 A.D.3d 94 (1st Dep’t 2013).

Matter of Banji, 106 A.D.3d 73 (1st Dep’t 2013).

Matter of Brusch, 105 A.D.3d 124 (1st Dep’t 2013).

Matter of Dimick, 105 A.D.3d 30 (1st Dep’t 2013).

Matter of Cohen, 102 A.D.3d 55 (1st Dep’t 2012).

Matter of Bruzdziak, 102 A.D.3d 193 (1st Dep’t 2012).

Matter of Kim, 100 A.D.3d 246 (1st Dep’t 2012).

Podcasts

Legal Ethics in a New York Minute with Kaylin L. Whittingham

On Advice of Counsel The Educated Client