IN RE: Jennifer JACQUES an attorney and counselor-At-Law: (2025)

In the Matter of Jennifer Jacques, an attorney

Respondent Jennifer Jacques was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the First Judicial Department on March 23, 2009.¹  At all times relevant to this proceeding, respondent maintained a registered address in the First Judicial Department.

On February 14, 2025, respondent pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the second degree, scheme to defraud in the first degree, and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, in violation of, respectively, Penal Law §§ 155.40(1), 190.65(1), and 175.35(1), all felonies.  The misconduct that formed the basis for her conviction stemmed from respondent's fraudulent acquisition of affordable housing in Manhattan via the New York City Department of Housing, Preservation, and Development.  Respondent admitted that she was not eligible for the housing she obtained, as well as the hundreds of thousands of dollars in benefits she received by providing false information on applications to rent and own housing units.  On April 3, 2025, respondent was sentenced to a term of probation of five years, 500 hours of community service, and a $300 surcharge.

Now, by motion dated July 31, 2025, the Attorney Grievance Committee (AGC) seeks an order, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(a) and (b) and the Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.12(c)(1), striking respondent's name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at law in the State of New York on the ground that she has been convicted of a felony as defined by Judiciary Law § 90(4)(e), specifically, her February 14, 2025 felony convictions for grand larceny in the second degree, scheme to defraud in the first degree, and two counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree.  The AGC maintains that respondent's felony conviction is a proper predicate for automatic disbarment and, as such, respondent's name should be stricken from the roll of attorneys (see Matter of Cohen, 227 A.D.3d 18, 207 N.Y.S.3d 495 [1st Dept. 2024];  Matter of Solny, 213 A.D.3d 24, 181 N.Y.S.3d 84 [1st Dept. 2023];  Matter of Scharf, 193 A.D.3d 118, 141 N.Y.S.3d 14 [1st Dept. 2021];  Matter of Carlebach, 163 A.D.3d 192, 82 N.Y.S.3d 27 [1st Dept. 2018]).

Although respondent consented to electronic service of this motion on February 14, 2025, respondent has not submitted a response.

Based on the foregoing, respondent should be disbarred by operation of law as of the date of her conviction for, among other things, grand larceny in the second degree (see e.g. Matter of Hanlon, 180 A.D.3d 51, 116 N.Y.S.3d 42 [1st Dept. 2019];  Matter of Brosius, 138 A.D.3d 216, 26 N.Y.S.3d 851 [1st Dept. 2016];  Matter of Block, 105 A.D.3d 70, 960 N.Y.S.2d 375 [1st Dept. 2013]).

Accordingly, the AGC's motion should be granted, respondent disbarred, and her name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective nunc pro tunc to February 14, 2025 (date of conviction).

Wherefore, it is Ordered that the motion by the Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department for an order pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(a) and (b), and 22 NYCRR 1240.12(c)(1), is granted, and respondent is disbarred and her name stricken from the roll of attorneys in the State of New York, effective nunc pro tunc to February 14, 2025, and until further order of this Court;  and

It is further Ordered that, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, respondent, Jennifer Jacques, is commanded to desist and refrain from (1) the practice of law in any form, either as principal or agent, clerk or employee of another, (2) appearing as an attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, Judge, Justice, board, commission or other public authority, (3) giving to another an opinion as to the law or its application or any advice in relation thereto, and (4) holding herself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law;  and

It is further Ordered that, respondent, Jennifer Jacques, shall comply with the rules governing the conduct of disbarred or suspended attorneys (see 22 NYCRR 1240.15), which are made part hereof;  and

It is further Ordered that if respondent, Jennifer Jacques, has been issued a secure pass by the Office of Court Administration, it shall be returned forthwith.

FOOTNOTES

1.   Respondent is pro se and has not appeared in this proceeding.

Per Curiam

All concur.