A former law clerk, Zachary Zayas, who was involved in a contentious inheritance dispute between siblings, has left his position with Queens Surrogate's Court Judge Peter Kelly to join an influential Nassau law firm. The move comes amidst allegations of a conflict of interest, as Zayas' relationship with a Uniondale attorney was not disclosed during the case. This relationship sparked controversy, especially as the attorney, Cheryl Katz, was arguing cases in Kelly's courtroom, including the inheritance dispute between Shannon Hynes and her brother, Sean Hynes. The case, which centered on the estate of Richard Hynes, led to Sean Hynes being named the sole executor of his father's estate, with the authority to use the money to pay his attorneys, including Katz. The revelation of Zayas and Katz's romantic relationship and shared home in Massapequa further complicated the matter, leading to Kelly's recusal from the case. The case has since been moved to Surrogate's Court in Staten Island, where the dispute continues, with Shannon Hynes seeking to remove her brother as executor and scrutinize the attorney fees paid to Katz's firm. The controversy surrounding Zayas' departure and the potential impact on the case has raised questions about the integrity of the legal system and the importance of transparency in legal proceedings.
