Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468-a (Suarez), 2024 NY Slip Op 01146 [224 AD3d 1212]

February 29, 2024

Appellate Division, Third Department

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In the Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468-a. Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Petitioner; Michael Anthony Suarez, Respondent. (Attorney Registration No. 4510111.)

Monica A. Duffy, Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, Albany (Alison M. Coan of counsel), for Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department.

Michael Anthony Suarez, Springfield, Virginia, respondent pro se.

Motion by respondent for an order reinstating him to the practice of law following his suspension by September 2022 order of this Court ( Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468-a , 208 AD3d 1421 , 1442 [3d Dept 2022]; see Rules for Atty Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.16; Rules of App Div, 3d Dept [22 NYCRR] § 806.16).

Upon reading respondent’s notice of motion and affidavit with exhibits sworn to December 21, 2023, and the January 24, 2024 responsive correspondence from the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, and having determined, by clear and convincing evidence, that (1) respondent has complied with the order of suspension and the rules of this Court, (2) respondent has the requisite character and fitness to practice law, and (3) it would be in the public interest to reinstate respondent to the practice of law ( see Rules for Atty Disciplinary Matters [22 NYCRR] § 1240.16 [a]), it is 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, effective immediately.

Egan Jr., J.P., Pritzker, Lynch, Reynolds Fitzgerald and Mackey, JJ., concur..