IN RE: Stephen Luke DILORENZO (2026)

Respondent Stephen L. DiLorenzo was admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York by the First Judicial Department on August 28, 1989.  At all times relevant to this proceeding, respondent maintained a law office within the First Judicial Department.  Respondent is also admitted to practice in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

By motion dated April 1, 2026, respondent seeks an order accepting his resignation as an attorney and counselor-at-law licensed to practice in the State of New York. In support of the application, respondent has submitted an affidavit of resignation which conforms to the format set forth in Appendix A to the Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.10. Respondent attests that his resignation is freely and voluntarily rendered, without coercion or duress by anyone, and with full awareness of the consequences, including that the Court's acceptance and approval shall result in the entry of an order of disbarment striking his name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.  The AGC does not oppose respondent's motion.

Respondent attests that he is currently the subject of an investigation by the Attorney Grievance Committee (AGC) involving allegations that he committed professional misconduct, namely the misappropriation of escrow funds in a client matter involving a real estate transaction.  Specifically, respondent is alleged to have misappropriated $44,986.86 of a purchaser's $47,500 downpayment funds and $9,577.74 of his client's proceeds in the transaction.

Respondent attests that he cannot successfully defend against the allegations in a disciplinary proceeding, and that he made full restitution to the parties prior to the AGC's investigation.  Nonetheless, respondent acknowledges that his “resignation is submitted subject to any future application that may be made by a Committee to any Department of the Appellate Division for an order, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(6–a), directing that [he] make restitution or reimburse the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection, and [he] consents to the continuing jurisdiction of the Appellate Division to make such an order.”

Additionally, respondent acknowledges and agrees that pending issuance of an order accepting his resignation, he shall not undertake to represent any new clients or accept any retainers for future legal services to be rendered and that there will be no transactional activity in any fiduciary account to which he has access other than for the payment of funds held therein on behalf of clients or others entitled to receive them.  He understands that in the event the Court accepts his resignation, the order resulting from this application and the records and documents filed in relation to the aforementioned allegations, including his affidavit, shall be deemed public records pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(10).

The Court accepts respondent's resignation.  Respondent's affidavit conforms with 22 NYCRR 1240.10 and this Court has previously accepted resignations of attorneys alleged to have converted and/or misappropriated client funds and made full restitution for the relevant allegations (see Matter of Meyerowitz, ––– A.D.3d ––––, 253 N.Y.S.3d 134 [1st Dept 2026];  Matter of Dubal, 151 A.D.3d 34, 51 N.Y.S.3d 889 [1st Dept 2017] ).

Accordingly, respondent's motion should be granted and his resignation accepted.  Respondent's name shall be stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective nunc pro tunc to March 31, 2026, the date of his affidavit of resignation.

Wherefore, it is Ordered that the application of respondent, Stephen Luke DiLorenzo, to resign as an attorney and counselor-at-law pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.10 is granted, and respondent is disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, effective nunc pro tunc to March 31, 2026, and until further order of this Court;  and

It is further Ordered that, pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, respondent, Stephen Luke DiLorenzo, 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, Stephen Luke DiLorenzo, 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, Stephen Luke DiLorenzo, has been issued a secure pass by the Office of Court Administration, it shall be returned forthwith.

Per Curiam

All concur.