IN RE: Lamon Darrell BLAND (2026)

In the Matter of Lamon Darrell Bland, a suspended attorney

Respondent Lamon D. Bland was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the First Judicial Department on September 15, 2009, under the name Lamon Darrell Bland.  Respondent maintains a registered address in the First Judicial Department.

By order entered May 1, 2025, pursuant to the Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.9(a)(1) and (3), this Court immediately suspended respondent from the practice of law for failure to comply with the Attorney Grievance Committee's (AGC) lawful investigative demands, failure to appear for an examination under oath, and failure to produce specified documents as directed by judicial subpoena (see Matter of Bland, 238 A.D.3d 98, 233 N.Y.S.3d 34 [1st Dept 2025] ).  Respondent's suspension was predicated on a complaint made by his former landlord who alleged that he failed to satisfy a judgment she obtained against him.  On May 5, 2025, the AGC served respondent with notice of entry and a copy of this Court's suspension order.  Respondent acknowledged receipt on the same day.

On May 20, 2025, respondent emailed the AGC to inquire about the appropriate steps needed regarding any legal services rendered prior to his suspension.  Although respondent indicated that he was “not interested” in contesting his suspension, he thereafter called the AGC on September 16, 2025 seeking reinstatement.  Between September 17 and 22, 2025, respondent exchanged emails with the AGC, wherein he maintained, inter alia, that he had “fully cooperated ․ regarding the complaint which has nothing to do with the practice of law.”

On October 3, 2025, respondent emailed his former landlord and offered to pay the judgment from an escrow account if she withdrew her complaint.  Respondent thereafter emailed the AGC asking what steps were necessary for reinstatement if his landlord withdrew her complaint.  On October 22, 2025, the AGC informed respondent that he must seek reinstatement in accordance with 22 NYCRR 1240.16.  Any withdrawal of t he complaint by his landlord would not be binding on the AGC.

The AGC repeatedly informed respondent that he could not be reinstated unless he cooperated with the AGC. Nonetheless, respondent has not contacted the AGC since October 22, 2025, nor has he made any effort to comply with its investigative demands, offered a reasonable explanation as to why he cannot do so, or filed the affidavit of compliance required by 22 NYCRR 1240.15(f).

By motion dated November 7, 2025, the AGC seeks an order, pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.9(b), disbarring respondent on the ground that he was immediately suspended pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.9(a)(1) and (3) and has neither responded to nor appeared for further investigatory or disciplinary proceedings within six months of the date of his suspension.

We find that, inasmuch as six months have elapsed since this Court's May 1, 2025 suspension order, and respondent has neither responded to nor appeared for further investigatory or disciplinary proceedings, respondent should be disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys in the State of New York, effective immediately (see Matter of Jenkins, 240 A.D.3d 18, 232 N.Y.S.3d 513 [1st Dept 2025];  Matter of Naccarato, 233 A.D.3d 35, 219 N.Y.S.3d 37 [1st Dept 2024] ).

Accordingly, the AGC's motion should be granted, respondent disbarred, and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective immediately.

Wherefore, it is Ordered that the motion by the Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department for an order pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.9(b), disbarring respondent, is granted, and respondent, Lamon Darrell Bland, is disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective immediately, and until further order of this Court;  and

It is further Ordered that, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, respondent, Lamon Darrell Bland, 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 himself out in any way as an attorney and counselor-at-law;  and

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

Per Curiam

All concur.