Opinion
Motion No. 2024-01032 Case No. 2011-00173 OCA Atty. Reg. No. 2315067
07-11-2024
In the Matter of Susan F. Steier a resigned attorney: Attorney Grievance Committee for the First Judicial Department, Respondent Susan F. Steier, Petitioner.
Unpublished Opinion
MOTION DECISION
Present - Hon. Dianne T. Renwick, Presiding Justice, Sallie Manzanet-Daniels David Friedman Martin Shulman Bahaati E. Pitt-Burke, Justices.
An order of this Court having been entered on August 4, 2011 (M-2518), accepting the resignation of petitioner (who was admitted to practice as an attorney and counselor-at-law in the State of New York at a Term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court for the First Department on December 4, 1989) while she was the subject of a pending investigation, and removing her name from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law in the State of New York, and until further order of this Court, And petitioner, by her attorney, David H. Singer, Esq., having moved this Court on April 29, 2024 for an order, pursuant to 22 NYCRR 1240.16, reinstating her as an attorney and counselor-at-law, And the Attorney Grievance Committee, by Jorge Dopico, its Chief Attorney (Kevin P. Culley, of counsel), having submitted an affirmation dated April 25, 2024, opposing the motion, but stating that, alternatively, the motion should be granted, if at all, only to the extent of referring the matter for an evidentiary hearing during which petitioner should be required to prove by clear and convincing evidence that she meets the standards for reinstatement set out in 22 NYCRR 1240.16(a), And the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection having submitted a response letter dated February 20, 2024, stating that it does not object to petitioner's reinstatement, Now, upon reading and filing the papers with respect to this motion, and due deliberation having been had thereon, it is unanimously,
Ordered that the motion of petitioner, Susan F. Steier, to be reinstated as an attorney and counselor-at-law in the State of New York is granted to the extent of referring the matter to James Shed, Esq. 172 West 82nd Street, Apt 4C, New York, NY 10024, (212) 580-2116, jimshed28@gmail.com, as Referee to conduct a hearing where petitioner will have the burden of establishing by clear and convincing evidence that she has fully complied with the order of disbarment and the Rules of this Court, that she possesses the requisite character and general fitness to resume the practice of law, and that she otherwise meets the standards for reinstatement set out in 22 NYCRR 1240.16(a). The Referee shall hold and complete the hearing within 60 days of entry hereof and issue a report and recommendation to this Court.