Q1 · 2026 Edition
Legal Ethics Quarterly Report
Attorney & Judicial Disciplinary Decisions & Ethics Opinions
32 reported disciplinary decisions. 8 attorney ethics opinions. 9 judicial disciplinary cases. 41 judicial opinions. One indispensable quarterly briefing for attorneys who take professional responsibility seriously.
32 reported decisions reviewed
Inside the Report
Eight sections. One quarter of the profession, examined.
I
Executive Summary
A clear overview of Q1 2026 including the first publicly censured attorney for improper use of AI in a legal brief.
II
Reported Disciplinary Decisions
All 32 attorney decisions: 11 disbarments, 11 suspensions, and 10 public censures, organized by outcome.
III
12 Disciplinary Decisions
Case-by-case summaries Jeang, Meyerowitz, Ponder, Spolin, Cardillo and more with misconduct and outcome flagged.
IV
Attorney Ethics Opinions
Six NYSBA opinions and two ABA Formal Opinions on multi-jurisdictional practice, ABS, conflicts, and successor counsel.
V
Most Liked #EthicsDigest
The quarter's most-liked ethics commentary from In re Ruffalo to Matter of Talassazan.
VI
9 Judicial disciplinary cases
Nine judicial disciplinary matters across the quarter censures, admonitions, and removals with the misconduct and the sanction clearly laid out.
VII
Opinions
All 41 judicial ethics opinions (25-137 through 25-174) on recusal, political activity, social media, and extrajudicial conduct.
VIII
#JudicialDigest
The quarter's most-liked judicial commentary sharp, citable takeaways you can actually use in chambers or in practice.
Inside the Report
Eight sections. One quarter of the profession, examined.
I
Executive Summary
A clear overview of Q1 2026 including the first publicly censured attorney for improper use of AI in a legal brief.
II
Reported Disciplinary Decisions
All 32 attorney decisions: 11 disbarments, 11 suspensions, and 10 public censures, organized by outcome.
III
12 Disciplinary Decisions
Case-by-case summaries Jeang, Meyerowitz, Ponder, Spolin, Cardillo and more with misconduct and outcome flagged.
IV
Attorney Ethics Opinions
Six NYSBA opinions and two ABA Formal Opinions on multi-jurisdictional practice, ABS, conflicts, and successor counsel.
V
Most Liked #EthicsDigest
The quarter's most-liked ethics commentary from In re Ruffalo to Matter of Talassazan.
VI
9 Judicial disciplinary cases
Nine judicial disciplinary matters across the quarter censures, admonitions, and removals with the misconduct and the sanction clearly laid out.
VII
Opinions
All 41 judicial ethics opinions (25-137 through 25-174) on recusal, political activity, social media, and extrajudicial conduct.
VIII
#JudicialDigest
The quarter's most-liked judicial commentary sharp, citable takeaways you can actually use in chambers or in practice.
The Author
Kaylin L. Whittingham
Kaylin L. Whittingham is the founder of Whittingham Law and the editor of the Legal Ethics Quarterly Report. She focuses her practice on attorney discipline defense, judicial discipline defense, attorney reinstatement, law graduate admission, law firm compliance and risk management. Kaylin is a sought-after voice on legal ethics and professional responsibility in an era of AI, social media, and shifting bar expectations.
Each quarter, Kaylin distills hundreds of pages of disciplinary decisions and ethics opinions into a single, easy to read report, allowing attorneys and judges to have the most updated legal ethics news at their fingertips.
"The practice of Law is a privilege burdened with conditions."
— Justice Benjamin Cardozo
What Readers Say
WHEN THE ATTORNEY GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE COMES KNOCKING,lET kaylin do the TALKING
“
“ 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!”
HW
“
“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.”
JC
“
“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.”
AB
Q1 2026 At a Glance
The numbers behind the quarter.
11
Disbarments
34.4% of reported decisions
11
Suspensions
Interim to five-year
10
Public Censures
Including first AI-misuse case
41
Judicial Opinions
25-137 through 25-174
Questions
Frequently asked.
What's actually inside the Q1 2026 report?
An executive summary, all 32 reported attorney disciplinary decisions (disbarments, suspensions, censures), 8 attorney ethics opinions (NYSBA & ABA), 9 judicial disciplinary cases, 41 judicial ethics opinions, and the quarter's most-liked #EthicsDigest and #JudicialDigest entries.
Does the report qualify for CLE credit?
No signup for CLE webinars from Whittingham Law. The report itself is editorial; CLE accreditation is delivered through the live webinars.
Is this useful outside New York?
Yes. While NYSBA opinions and the Appellate Divisions are heavily represented, the ABA Formal Opinions, federal cases (including In re Ruffalo), and themes such as AI misuse and escrow handling are nationally relevant.
How is the report delivered?
As a designed, searchable PDF emailed to you within minutes.
© – All Rights Reserved 2014-2026 — Whittingham Law