Opinion
1999-07000
03-06-2019
In the Matter of Joel R. Brandes, a disbarred attorney.
WILLIAM F. MASTRO REINALDO E. RIVERA MARK C. DILLON RUTH C. BALKIN, JJ. (Attorney Registration No. 1168483)
DECISION & ORDER
Motion by Joel R. Brandes for reinstatement to the Bar as an attorney and counselor-at-law. Mr. Brandes was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on March 19, 1969. By opinion and order of this Court dated April 8, 2002, Mr. Brandes was disbarred upon a finding that he was guilty of five charges of professional misconduct (see Matter of Brandes , 292 AD2d 129). Mr. Brandes's prior three motions for reinstatement were denied by decisions and orders on motion of this Court dated November 5, 2009, December 17, 2012, and June 3, 2015, respectively. By decision and order on motion of this Court dated February 10, 2017, Mr. Brandes's fourth 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 character and fitness to practice law.
Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and the papers filed in opposition and 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, Joel R. Brandes is reinstated as an attorney and counselor-at-law, and the Clerk of the Court is directed to restore the name of Joel R. Brandes to the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law.
SCHEINKMAN, P.J., MASTRO, RIVERA, DILLON and BALKIN, JJ., concur.
ENTER:
Aprilanne Agostino
Clerk of the Court