Rockland Attorney Disbarred On Professional Misconduct Charges

The Appellate Division of the Second Judicial Department disbarred Rockland County Attorney Francis H. Griffin on seven charges of professional misconduct on December 12.

Griffin has worked in the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office and in the county Public Defender’s Office for a total of 29 years in both full time and part time positions. He failed to respond within 20 days to a petition filed against him by a grievance committee on January 23, 2012, which led to the start of a disciplinary proceeding in May.  The disciplinary proceedings were authorized on May 15.

The petition contained seven charges of professional misconduct alleging failure to properly disburse escrow funds; failure to cooperate with the grievance committee; failure to respond to clients; neglect of legal matters; failure to file a retainer and/or closing statement, and failure to account for funds received as a fiduciary.

Griffin was a full time employee in the District Attorney's office for approximately four years and four months and in the Public Defender's Office for seven years full time and 18 years part time. According to the county executive’s office, Griffin’s full time employment amounted to more than 11 years, and he worked part time for the county for 18 years.

Griffin worked in the District Attorney's office in 1981 as a Legal Assistant, in 1982 as an Assistant District Attorney and 1983 as a Senior Assistant District Attorney. In 1986 he joined the Public Defender's office as an Assistant Public Defender and from 2000 until 2010, he held the title of Senior Assistant Public Defender.

Griffin also worked at the law firm of Dorman, Knoebel, Conway, Fury & Griffin of Pearl River.

The Ninth Judicial District censured him on Dec. 18, 1995.

F. Hollis Griffin was admitted to the bar as Francis H. Griffin Jr. on January 27, 1982.