Opinion
D–105–18
08-09-2018
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. Paul Alan Serbinowski, Respondent. (Attorney Registration No. 4174413)
Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany, for petitioner. Emery, Celli, Brinckerhoff & Abady LLP, New York City (Hal R. Lieberman of counsel), for respondent.
Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany, for petitioner.
Emery, Celli, Brinckerhoff & Abady LLP, New York City (Hal R. Lieberman of counsel), for respondent.
Before: Garry, P.J., Egan Jr., Lynch, Clark and Pritzker, JJ.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON MOTION
Per Curiam.
Respondent was admitted to practice by this Court in 2003 and lists a business address in Austin, Texas with the Office of Court Administration. By January 2014 order, this Court suspended respondent 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, 1051, 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] ). Respondent now moves for his reinstatement in New York (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [a] ). In its June 2018 correspondence in response, petitioner advises that it defers to the Court's discretion on respondent's application.
A reinstatement applicant must apply by form affidavit as prescribed in Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) part 1240 and provide certain required documentation in support of his or her application (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [b]; part 1240, appendix C). 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] ; Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a [Timourian], 153 A.D.3d 1513, 1514, 59 N.Y.S.3d 924 [2017] ), 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 that he is current with his biennial registration requirements (see Judiciary Law § 468–a ; Rules of the Chief Admin of Cts [22 NYCRR] § 118.1 ). Further, respondent provides proof that he successfully completed the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination in November 2017, 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]; compare Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a [Castle], 161 A.D.3d 1443, 1444, 73 N.Y.S.3d 774 [2018] ).
Respondent's application also establishes, by clear and convincing evidence, that he possesses the requisite character and fitness to return to the practice of law in New York (see Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468–a [Squires], 153 A.D.3d 1511, 1513, 60 N.Y.S.3d 604 [2017] ; Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [b] ). Respondent attests to having no other disciplinary history during the time of his suspension (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] part 1240, appendix C, ¶ 14), and that he is not the subject of any governmental investigation (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] part 1240, appendix C, ¶ 31). Respondent also attaches certificates of good standing for the foreign jurisdictions where he is admitted and provides proof that he satisfied the Continuing Legal Education requirements of those jurisdictions during the years of his suspension in this state (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] part 1240, appendix C, ¶¶ 13, 35; see also Rules of App.Div., All Depts [ 22 NYCRR] §§ 1500.5 [b][1]; 1500.22[n][1] ). Also relevant here, respondent attests to having taken steps to remedy any financial concerns presented in his application (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] part 1240, appendix C, ¶¶ 24–25).
Finally, we conclude that respondent's reinstatement will be in the public interest (see Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters [ 22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [a]; compare Matter of Sullivan, 153 A.D.3d 1484, 1484, 59 N.Y.S.3d 731 [2017] ). Respondent's application does not present any concern of possible detriment to the public that would result from his reinstatement, as he has no disciplinary record outside of this suspension and the misconduct that led to his suspension had no effect on any client. Further, respondent attests to having practiced law for several years in the intellectual property discipline, and his specialized knowledge and expertise in this field will provide a tangible benefit to the public (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] ). Based on the foregoing, we grant respondent's application for reinstatement.
ORDERED that the 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, Clark and Pritzker, JJ., concur.