IN RE: Feng Li (2026)

OPINION & ORDER

PER CURIAM.  On October 30, 2013, the respondent pleaded guilty before the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York to conspiracy to commit immigration fraud, in violation of 18 USC § 371, and immigration fraud, in violation of 18 USC § 1546(a).  Specifically, from on or about 2005 through on or about 2011, the respondent and his coconspirators “advocated on behalf of clients” using materially false statements, which resulted in the clients obtaining asylum status.  The respondent also prepared asylum applicants to testify falsely at proceedings in Immigration Court, which resulted in the applicants being granted asylum status.

On April 28, 2015, the respondent was sentenced to time served on both counts, with one year of supervised release on each count, to run concurrently, forfeiture in the amount of $150,000, and a monetary penalty in the amount of $200.  He failed to report his aforementioned conviction to the Appellate Division within 30 days, as required by Judiciary Law § 90(4)(c).

By motion dated July 31, 2025, the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts moved to strike the respondent's name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law based upon his conviction of a felony pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4) or, in the alternative, to suspend the respondent from the practice of law based upon his conviction of a serious crime pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(f) and 22 NYCRR 1240.12(b)(2)(ii) and (c)(2)(ii) and direct the respondent to show cause why a final order of discipline should not be made pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.12(c)(2)(i).  By decision and order on motion dated November 5, 2025, this Court deemed the crime of which the respondent was convicted a “serious crime,” suspended the respondent immediately from the practice of law, and directed the respondent to show cause, on or before December 19, 2025, why a final order of suspension, censure, or disbarment should not be made based upon his conviction of a serious crime.  On November 18, 2025, the Grievance Committee served the respondent with a copy of the decision and order on motion pursuant to this Court's order dated August 6, 2025, authorizing substituted service.  The respondent failed to file a response to the decision and order on motion dated November 5, 2025, or to request an extension of time to do so.  He also failed to file an affidavit of compliance as required by 22 NYCRR 1240.15(f).

In view of the respondent's serious misconduct concerning immigration fraud, which resulted in his conviction of a serious crime, and his failure to respond to the decision and order on motion dated November 5, 2025, we conclude that disbarment is warranted.

LASALLE, P.J., DILLON, DUFFY, BARROS and FORD, JJ., concur.

ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(a), the respondent, Feng Li, a suspended attorney, is disbarred, effective immediately, and his name is now stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law;  and it is further,

ORDERED that the respondent, Feng Li, shall continue to comply with this Court's rules governing the conduct of disbarred or suspended attorneys (see 22 NYCRR 1240.15);  and it is further,

ORDERED that pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90, effective immediately, the respondent, Feng Li, is commanded to continue to desist and refrain from (1) practicing law in any form, either as principal or as 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 if the respondent, Feng Li, has been issued a secure pass by the Office of Court Administration, it shall be returned forthwith to the issuing agency and the respondent shall certify to the same in his affidavit of compliance pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.15(f).

ENTER:

Darrell M. Joseph

Clerk of the Court