A New York lawyer was suspended Tuesday from practicing law for four months following a criminal conviction for getting drunk and roughing up a woman he met online, according to an appellate decision.
John Brandon Walker — a civil lawyer who is a partner at Bragar Eagel & Squire — was convicted for a March 5, 2016, incident when he took an online date back to his apartment after a night of drinking and drunkenly assaulted her, according to the Appellate Division, First Department ruling.
The victim in the case said Walker “grabbed her by the neck, choked her, threw her on the floor and kicked her ribcage with his foot,” leaving her with a wrist fracture and bruises on her throat, head and wrist, according to the court papers.
The 40-year-old lawyer pleaded guilty to reckless assault April 27, 2017, and served a one-year conditional discharge sentence with one year of alcohol abuse counseling.
The five-judge panel said that while Walker’s conduct was “disturbing,” the fact that he accepted responsibility, has no other disciplinary history and has had a good career all show that he could still practice law.
Still, “A period of suspension for such an assault is warranted in order to maintain the honor and integrity of the profession and deter others from committing similar misconduct,” the decision reads.
Walker’s lawyer, Michael Ross, said, “Mr. Walker is deeply remorseful for this aberrational episode in his life and he looks forward to practicing after the period of his suspension.”