[ by Melanie Gretchen ] A New York appeals court suspended a former associate at an Albany law firm, on charges that that he billed for work he never performed.  The Appellate Division, Third Department, suspended the associate from practice for 2 years. Broker's Background. Mark Nizer graduated in 2003 from Albany Law School of Union University, and practiced at Tabner, Ryan & Keniry before working at Maynard O'Connor, according to his LinkedIn page.  Joining Maynard O'Connor in 2008, according to a cached version of his profile on the firm's website, his practice focused on general litigation, personal injury and medical malpractice. Appeals Court Findings and Allegations. While an associate at Maynard, O'Connor, Smith & Catalinotto, an 18-attorney personal injury and general litigation firm, he prepared and submitted bills to his employer and clients "when in fact no work was performed by him," the court wrote.  He was in violation of 3 provisions of Rule 8.4 of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct, which in general prohibits attorneys from engaging in dishonesty, fraud, and deceit. As a result, the appeals court suspended Nizer from practice for 2 years, effective immediately.  It wrote, "(T)o protect the public, deter similar misconduct, and preserve the reputation of the bar, respondent should be suspended from the practice of law for a period of 2 years." The case: In the Matter of Mark D. Nizer, No. 4106894, New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department. For further details, go to [Reuters, 3/30/12].