Opinion
D–136–18
11-01-2018
In the MATTER OF ATTORNEYS IN VIOLATION OF JUDICIARY LAW § 468–A. Committee on Professional Standards, now Known as Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Petitioner; v. Forrest Scott Freedman, Respondent. (Attorney Registration No. 2173839)
Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany, for petitioner. Forrest Scott Freedman, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, respondent pro se.
Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany, for petitioner.
Forrest Scott Freedman, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, respondent pro se.
Before: Garry, P.J., Egan Jr., Lynch, Devine and Mulvey, JJ.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON MOTION
Per Curiam.
Respondent was admitted to practice by this Court in 1988 and lists a business address in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with the Office of Court Administration. He now seeks his reinstatement (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [a] ), following this Court's January 2014 order suspending him from the practice of law in New York for conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice arising from his noncompliance with the attorney registration requirements of Judiciary Law § 468–a and Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts (22 NYCRR) § 118.1 ( 113 A.D.3d 1020, 1032, 979 N.Y.S.2d 548 [2014] ; see Judiciary Law § 468–a[5] ; Rules of Professional Conduct [ 22 NYCRR 1200.0 ] rule 8.4[d] ). In its October 2018 correspondence in response, petitioner advises that it defers to the Court's discretion on respondent's application.
Here, in light of the length of his suspension, respondent properly submits the form affidavit contained in appendix C to the Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) part 1240 (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [b]; see e.g. Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a [Higashi], 159 A.D.3d 1260, 1261, 70 N.Y.S.3d 405 [2018] ), and such affidavit is duly sworn to (compare Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a [Hughes–Hardaway], 152 A.D.3d 951, 952, 55 N.Y.S.3d 680 [2017] ). Office of Court Administration records demonstrate that respondent has cured the delinquency that resulted in his suspension and he is current with his biennial registration requirements (see Judiciary Law § 468–a ; Rules of the Chief Admin of Cts. [22 NYCRR] § 118.1 ). Respondent also provides proof that he successfully completed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination in March 2018, as is required for attorneys seeking reinstatement following suspensions of six months or more (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [b]; co mpare Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a [Castle], 161 A.D.3d 1443, 1444, 73 N.Y.S.3d 774 [2018] ). Further, having reviewed respondent's affidavit and petitioner's correspondence in response, we are satisfied that he has complied with the order of suspension and the Rules of this Court, that he has the requisite character and fitness for the practice of law and that it would be in the public's interest to reinstate him to the practice of law in New York (see Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a [Ettelson], 161 A.D.3d 1478, 1480, 77 N.Y.S.3d 223 [2018] ; Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a [Higashi], 159 A.D.3d 1260, 1262, 70 N.Y.S.3d 405 [2018] ; Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [a] ). Accordingly, we grant respondent's motion.
ORDERED that respondent's motion for reinstatement is granted; and it is further
ORDERED that respondent is reinstated as an attorney and counselor-at-law in the State of New York, effective immediately.
Garry, P.J., Egan Jr., Lynch, Devine and Mulvey, JJ., concur.