By Michele Evans / NYweeklyRecord.com / Date: 8/28/2026
Category: Courts / Attorney Discipline / Court Administration / Accountability
NEW YORK CITY, NY – A New York appellate court has immediately suspended a lawyer who, according to the court, repeatedly failed to answer four grievance complaints, produce escrow records, or appear for a deposition compelled by judicial subpoena.
The Appellate Division, First Department, said Jordan Jessica Tapia showed a pattern of noncooperation with the Attorney Grievance Committee. The court suspended her Thursday until further order.
The ruling does not decide whether the underlying complaints are true. It addresses Tapia’s response to the disciplinary investigation, including repeated failures to provide information and comply with a subpoena. Tapia did not file a response to the committee’s suspension motion, according to the decision.
The first complaint arrived in November 2024. The committee sought a summary of the dispute and records showing that contested money remained intact in Tapia’s law-firm escrow account. The court said she submitted a brief response but did not provide the requested escrow documentation despite follow-up demands and multiple extensions.
A second complaint arrived in January 2025. Tapia eventually answered that complaint but did not provide additional information requested on three dates, the court said. A third complainant contacted the committee in July 2025, and a fourth complaint followed in October.
The court said Tapia missed deadlines across all four matters. The grievance committee then obtained a judicial subpoena requiring her to appear for a deposition and produce records. Service problems followed after Tapia said she had moved, but she did not provide a current address or consent to email service, according to the ruling.
After the court authorized substitute service, the subpoena was served by email on February 27, 2026. Tapia did not appear for a March 23 deposition. The committee gave her another date, warned her that continued noncooperation could trigger suspension, and directed her to appear April 3. She did not appear then either, the court said.
For clients, the disciplinary system is one of the few formal mechanisms available when they believe a lawyer mishandled money or failed in professional duties. That system depends on lawyers answering complaints and producing records that can confirm or disprove allegations.
The immediate suspension bars Tapia from practicing law, appearing as counsel before a court or public authority, giving legal advice, or presenting herself as an attorney. She must also return any secure court pass issued by the Office of Court Administration.
Tapia may request a post-suspension hearing within 20 days after service of the order. The underlying complaints remain unresolved in the decision, and the ruling does not identify the complainants or state that any alleged misconduct was proven.
The First Department’s decision is uncorrected and may be revised before publication in the Official Reports.
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