Bay Ridge Lawyers Association hosts meeting on attorney discipline and professional conduct

March 7, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

The Bay Ridge Lawyers Association and its President Adam Kalish (right) welcomed attorneys Angelicque Moreno and Michael Farkas as its guest speakers during its most recent monthly meetings.
Eagle photos by Mario Belluomo

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The Bay Ridge Lawyers Association and its President Adam Kalish recently convened at Mama Rao’s in Dyker Heights for its monthly meeting, which featured an enlightening discussion on attorney discipline and professional behavior.

The focus of the gathering was a presentation titled “Behave Yourself: Rule 8.4 and Attorney Discipline,” delivered by two esteemed local attorneys, Angélicque Moreno and Michael Farkas, with materials prepared by Andrea E. Bonina.

The discourse centered around Rule 8.4, an essential guideline for legal practitioners that underscores the necessity of maintaining professional conduct in all aspects of their practice. This rule outlines behaviors that are unacceptable for attorneys, such as engaging in dishonesty, fraud, discrimination, harassment, and any actions prejudicial to the administration of justice or that adversely reflect on an attorney’s honesty, trustworthiness or fitness as a lawyer.

In 2022, New York’s Appellate Division departments collectively adopted a version of the ABA Model Rule 8.4(g), which specifically prohibits discrimination and harassment in the practice of law. The presentation addressed the balance between upholding free speech and ensuring the legal profession is conducted with integrity and respect for all individuals.

Farkas brings a wealth of experience to the legal community, with a background as a Kings County District Attorney, a homicide trial prosecutor, a Wall Street in-house counsel and a retired military judge. Farkas’ extensive experience spans criminal, securities and military law, showcasing his ability to navigate complex legal waters. His leadership roles include serving as a trustee of the Brooklyn Bar Association and chairing its Criminal Law Committee, and as past president of the Kings County Criminal Bar Association.

Moreno is a trailblazing trial attorney with more than 25 years of experience advocating for personal injury victims. Moreno’s passion for justice is rooted in her personal history, growing up in the South Bronx and witnessing the struggles of her cousin, who suffered from cerebral palsy due to medical malpractice. This experience motivated her to become a voice for those harmed by others’ negligence.

Moreno is the immediate past president of the Puerto Rican Bar Association and a past president of the NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers.