A Brooklyn native has filed a lawsuit against his former attorney, alleging misconduct spanning more than a decade.
The lawsuit filed by plaintiff Subi Mehmeti names Stewart Lee Karlin as the defendant. Mehmeti alleges that Karlin suppressed crucial medical and psychiatric records during previous litigation, which resulted in the dismissal of his case and violations of due process. The matter dates back to October 3, 2012, when Mehmeti was diagnosed with head cancer and total paralysis. He underwent surgery later that month and was advised to take complete rest. Despite these medical conditions, he filed a lawsuit under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) on November 28, 2012. According to Mehmeti, his then-attorney, Karlin, failed to submit medical records from Dr. Nabil Rezk, who treated him for severe depressive disorder from 2013 to 2018. Mehmeti claims these records were essential to his case but were never submitted, leading to dismissal for lack of evidence.
The complaint includes claims of violation of due process under the Fourteenth Amendment and 42 U.S.C. § 1983; fraud on the court under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b)(3); legal malpractice; breach of fiduciary duty; and obstruction of justice under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 73 and § 1519. Mehmeti asserts that the suppression of evidence prevented him from receiving a fair trial.
The lawsuit seeks damages, including more than $780,000 in lost income from 2012 to 2025; over $100,000 in legal expenses; mental anguish resulting in clinical depression; rent arrears totaling $29,603.63; loss of familial stability; emotional distress; reputational harm; and the denial of judicial protection.
Mehmeti requests compensatory and punitive damages, a declaration that his constitutional rights were violated, and restoration of his right to have his claims adjudicated on the merits. He also asks the court to refer Karlin to the appropriate disciplinary authorities for investigation.
The plaintiff is representing himself in this matter. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case ID 1:25-cv-03592-NRM-TAM.