The legal profession’s foundation is built on the fiduciary duty to protect client funds. When that trust is breached, the disciplinary consequences are often final. For Israel Dov Weinstein (Bar ID: 016332015), a career that began with promise in New York and New Jersey has ended with permanent disbarment.
Effective December 19, 2025, the Supreme Court of New Jersey issued an order of disbarment by consent for Weinstein, following years of legal battles involving escrow misconduct and misappropriation.
The Core Misconduct: Escrow Violations and Misappropriation
The disciplinary proceedings against Israel Dov Weinstein (Case No. 091515) stemmed from a pattern of financial mismanagement while he practiced in Cedarhurst, New York. Investigations by the Grievance Committee revealed several severe violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct:
1. Misappropriation of Fiduciary Funds
A 2023 ruling from the New York Appellate Division found that Weinstein engaged in a pattern of misappropriating funds required to be held in his escrow account. During various real estate transactions, the balance in his account fell significantly below the required amounts.
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Unauthorized Disbursements: On multiple occasions, Weinstein disbursed checks from his escrow account without corresponding deposits to cover them.
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Large Unexplained Transfers: One charge specifically alleged he misappropriated $500,000 by transferring it from his escrow account to another law firm without authorization.
2. Failure to Maintain Bookkeeping
Weinstein was found to have abdicated his oversight of firm records. He claimed that other attorneys had primary control over the account, but the court ruled that an attorney of record remains personally responsible for the integrity of their escrow accounts.
A Multi-State Disciplinary Timeline
Weinstein’s removal from the legal profession occurred in two major stages across state lines:
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November 2023 (New York): The Supreme Court of the State of New York Appellate Division issued a five-year suspension after sustaining four charges of professional misconduct. Weinstein was ordered not to apply for reinstatement until June 2028.
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June 2024 (New Jersey): The New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection declared Weinstein ineligible to practice due to non-payment of required fees and administrative obligations.
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December 2025 (New Jersey): Rather than contest the merits of the pending ethics charges in New Jersey, Weinstein tendered a Consent to Disbarment. The Supreme Court accepted this, striking his name from the roll of attorneys permanently.
Financial Sanctions and Trust Fund Transfer
The New Jersey Supreme Court’s final order carries immediate and permanent mandates to protect the public:
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Name Stricken: Israel Dov Weinstein’s name has been removed from the roster of attorneys in New Jersey.
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Asset Freeze: All funds held in New Jersey financial institutions under his name were ordered to be transferred to the Clerk of the Superior Court to be held in the Superior Court Trust Fund.
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Injunction: He is permanently restrained from practicing law, giving legal advice, or identifying himself as an attorney in any capacity.
Conclusion: Safeguarding the Public Trust
The disbarment of Israel Dov Weinstein serves as a final measure to protect legal consumers in the tri-state area. In New Jersey, the Disciplinary Review Board (DRB) ensures that attorneys who fail to protect the financial interests of their clients are removed from the bar to maintain the integrity of the profession. For those seeking current information on any attorney’s standing, official judiciary portals remain the only definitive resource.
