Opinion
2011-08-2
In the Matter of Richard M. STRAUSS, admitted at Richard Mark Strauss, a disbarred attorney.
Motion by Richard M. Strauss for reinstatement to the Bar as an attorney and counselor-at-law. Mr. Strauss was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on October 13, 1976. By decision and order on motion of this Court dated March 8, 2000, Mr. Strauss was suspended from the practice of law pursuant to 22 NYCRR 691.4( l )(1)(i) upon a finding that he was guilty of professional misconduct immediately threatening the public interest based upon his failure to cooperate with an investigation by the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts, the Grievance Committee was authorized to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding against him, and the issues were referred to the Hon. Luigi R. Marano, as Special Referee to hear and report. By opinion and order of this Court dated December 4, 2000, Mr. Strauss was disbarred and his name was stricken from the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law based upon his default ( see Matter of Strauss, 279 A.D.2d 72, 716 N.Y.S.2d 922). By decision and order of this Court dated November 5, 2009, Mr. Strauss's motion for reinstatement was held in abeyance and the matter was referred to the Committee on Character and Fitness to investigate and report on his current fitness to be an attorney, including, but not limited to: (1) an examination of any and all medical records pertaining to the respondent's health, (2) the appointment of a qualified medical expert to conduct an examination of the respondent's current health and any limitations which might affect his ability to practice law, and (3) the nature of the four initial underlying complaints of his professional misconduct.
Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and the papers filed in relation thereto, and upon the report of the Committee on Character and Fitness and the exhibits annexed thereto, it is
ORDERED that the motion is granted; and it is further,
ORDERED that, effective immediately, the respondent Richard M. Strauss, admitted as Richard Mark Strauss, is reinstated as an attorney and counselor-at-law and the Clerk of the Court is directed to restore the name of Richard Mark Strauss to the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.