An embattled Queens legislator has launched a law practice as he awaits his own day in court.
Councilmember Dan Halloran is still taking on legal cases as an attorney and has formed a separate office to handle them, The Courier has learned.
This firm’s website, www.halloranlaw.org, describes Whitestone-based Halloran Law P.C. as a “one-stop shop for all of your legal needs” and touts the eponymous partner’s legal expertise.
In nearly 1,250 words, a biography details Halloran’s law background and concludes with local newspapers calling him “a highly respected member of the City Council” and praising his “‘community-oriented’ view of government.”
It does not mention that the head of the practice is facing federal corruption charges for his alleged hand in bribing GOP officials to get Democratic State Senator Malcolm Smith on the Republican mayoral ticket.
Feds say Halloran pocketed nearly $21,000 in cash for setting up meetings between Smith and GOP officials. He also allegedly offered up councilmember item cash in exchange for bribes, a criminal complaint detailed.
Halloran and Smith were arrested on April 2. Both deny any wrongdoing.
A Halloran Law P.C. spokesperson said the website “has been online since January 2013, when Mr. Halloran formed a separate law office to handle the legal work he was receiving.”
However, domain records show the site was created on June 13.
Halloran has been a practicing attorney for more than a decade and remains a counsel to several firms, said the spokesperson, who did not give a name. Halloran was previously a partner at Palmieri and Castiglione, handling civil litigation, general practice matters and criminal cases outside New York City.
The lawmaker represents the 19th Council District for the remainder of the year. He said he would not seek reelection in order to focus on clearing his name.
His council spokesperson, Victor Mimoni, said the practice does not impede with the councilmember’s duty to his district.
“He attends certain committee meetings when the subject matter affects the district and he goes to the stated meetings,” Mimoni said. “The office is open from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. We’re still handling constituent calls. The district is still being served.”
Halloran has previously received flak for what some see as a head-in-the-sand approach to his legal troubles.
Council Speaker Christine Quinn reportedly called him “stupid” and “arrogant” for sending out a budget-related press release six days after his arrest.
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