In re Butler

OPINION OF THE COURT

Respondent, Gail D. Butler, was admitted to the practice of *264law in New York by the Second Judicial Department on December 9, 1987. At all times relevant to these proceedings, respondent maintained an office for the practice of law within the First Judicial Department.

In May 1997, a complaint against respondent was filed with the Departmental Disciplinary Committee by Ted Pridgen, Robert Luback and Furio Casale (the Pridgen Group), who had entered into a joint venture with a recording artist represented by respondent. As the escrow agent for the joint venture, respondent…