Opinion
Motion No: 2008-08744 Attorney Registration No. 4256541 M127988
10-27-2011
In the Matter of Damien Semel-Defeo, a suspended attorney.
, P.J.
WILLIAM F. MASTRO
REINALDO E. RIVERA
PETER B. SKELOS
SANDRA L. SGROI, JJ.
DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION FOR REINSTATEMENT
Motion by Damien Semel-Defeo for reinstatement as an attorney and counselor-at-law. Mr. Semel-Defeo was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on November 17, 2004. By decision and order on motion dated January 23, 2009, the Court, on its own motion, authorized the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding against Mr. Semel-Defeo based on his conviction for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree and referred the issues raised to the Hon. Harry E. Seidell, as Special Referee to hear and report. By opinion and order dated September 14, 2010, this Court suspended Mr. Semel-Defeo from the practice of law for a period of six months, commencing October 14, 2010.
Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and the papers filed in relation thereto, it is
ORDERED that the motion is denied.
We find that Damien Semel-Defeo does not demonstrate the requisite fitness and character to practice law.
PRUDENTI, P. J., MASTRO, RIVERA, SKELOS and SGROI, JJ., concur.
ENTER:
Matthew G. Kiernan
Clerk of the Court