David A. Lewis

Counsel

David’s legal practice is devoted exclusively to legal ethics and professional responsibility. David provides attorneys and their firms practical advice on issues of disciplinary exposure, financial risk, and conflicts of interest. He is an authority on disciplinary complaints, malpractice suits, and the panoply of disputes between lawyers, their firms, and their clients.

David’s credentials include a three-year term as Chair of the New York City Bar Association’s prestigious Professional Responsibility Committee. He has also served on the state level, with the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct (COSAC). These committees are at the vanguard of the legal ethics field, studying and recommending changes to rules and procedures that directly affect the practice of law.

David’s own practice reflects this experience. He represents lawyers and firms wherever the Rules of Professional Conduct come into play, from partnership disputes and privilege and confidentiality issues to conflicts and bar admission problems. David’s approach to legal ethics – a field known for its rigidity – is to keep an open mind. He prefers to think through a client’s entire situation, looking for other, possibly better options than what is immediately evident. For his clients – those lawyers and firms that may have strayed from the rules, thereby putting their careers and businesses at risk – David’s thorough and carefully considered approach provides the guidance that puts those clients on the right track.

Education & Admissions

Education

  • Colgate University

    (B.A., cum laude, 1998)

  • Georgetown University Law Center

    (J.D., 2001)

Admissions

  • State of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York

Experience

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Represents lawyers and law firms in a wide range of ethics and professional responsibility matters.
  • Defends lawyers and law firms facing Attorney Grievance Committee and professional conduct complaints, disqualification motions, and other related matters.
  • Assists clients with issues involving bar admission applications and character and fitness concerns.
  • Advises law firms and law departments on issues of ethical risk management.

Involvement

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • American Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association (Past Vice-Chair, Task Force on Non-Lawyer Ownership)
  • New York City Bar Association (Past Chair, Professional Responsibility Committee; Council on the Profession)
  • Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

  • Cardozo Law School (Former Adjunct Professor of Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility)

Honors

HONORS

  • Legal Aid Society Pro Bono Publico Award
  • Named to the New York Metro Super Lawyers list (2015-2019)
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating for High Ethical Standards and Professional Ability by Martindale-Hubbell (2019)
  • Named to the New York Metro Rising Stars list (2013-2014)
  • Empire State Counsel, New York State Bar Association (2007-2010)
  • Golden Gavel Public Service Book Award (2007)