Res. No. 174

Resolution supporting the reinstatement of Alton Maddox to the practice of law.

 By Council Members Barron and Seabrook

Whereas, Alton Maddox, a graduate of Howard University and Boston College Law School, began practicing law in 1976; and

Whereas, Mr. Maddox successfully defended numerous defendants, co-sponsored 1983 Congressional hearings on Police Brutality in New York City and founded the Medgar Evers Center for Law and Social Justice; and

Whereas, Mr. Maddox provided legal representation to the family of Tawana Brawley following her alleged rape and abduction in 1987; and

Whereas, Following the grand jury determination that Ms. Brawley’s claim was a fabrication, the Committee on Professional Standards launched an investigation into the conduct of Mr. Maddox, culminating in his suspension from the practice of law in May of 1990; and

Whereas, One of the findings of the Committee was that the actions of Mr. Maddox during the Tawana Brawley case obstructed justice by hindering an ongoing investigation; and

Whereas, Mr. Maddox disputes the validity of his suspension and states that his refusal to violate attorney-client privilege is not obstruction of justice and therefore believes that his license to practice law was wrongfully suspended; and

Whereas, Mr. Maddox’s original suspension ended in July 1994 and on August 1994, Mr. Maddox was once again suspended, this time indefinitely, by the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department; and  

Whereas, Despite his suspension from the practice of law, Mr. Maddox continues to work in other ways to help those in need; and

Whereas, Following over fifteen years of suspension, Mr. Maddox should be granted the opportunity to be reinstated to the practice of law; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York supports the reinstatement of Alton Maddox to the practice of law.

LS # 313

JP 2/6/06