Opinion
Supreme Court Case No. 71S00-1108-DI-522
01-08-2021
In the MATTER OF: Olubunmi O. OKANLAMI, Petitioner
Published Order Granting Conditional Reinstatement to the Practice of Law
On January 10, 2013, this Court issued an order accepting Petitioner's resignation, effective immediately. Petitioner filed a petition for reinstatement on October 24, 2019, and we appointed a hearing officer. Following an evidentiary hearing, the hearing officer issued a report on October 23, 2020, recommending that Petitioner be conditionally reinstated to the practice of law in Indiana. Neither party has filed a petition for review.
A petition for reinstatement may be granted only if the petitioner proves by clear and convincing evidence that:
(1) The petitioner desires in good faith to obtain restoration of his or her privilege to practice law;
(2) The petitioner has not practiced law in this State or attempted to do so since he or she was disciplined;
(3) The petitioner has complied fully with the terms of the order for discipline;
(4) The petitioner's attitude towards the misconduct for which he or she was disciplined is one of genuine remorse;
(5) The petitioner's conduct since the discipline was imposed has been exemplary and above reproach;
(6) The petitioner has a proper understanding of and attitude towards the standards that are imposed upon members of the bar and will conduct himself or herself in conformity with such standards;
(7) The petitioner can safely be recommended to the legal profession, the courts, and the public as a person fit to be consulted by others and to represent them and otherwise act in matters of trust and confidence, and in general to aid in the administration of justice as a member of the bar and an officer of the Courts; and
(8) The disability has been removed, if the discipline was imposed by reason of physical or mental illness or infirmity, or for use of or addiction to intoxicants or drugs.
Admis. Disc. R. 23(18)(b)(3).
This Court, being duly advised, finds that the recommendation of the hearing officer should be accepted and that Petitioner should be conditionally reinstated as a member of the Indiana bar and placed on probation for a period of two years, during which time Petitioner shall remain under a monitoring agreement with the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program and shall comply with all terms of that agreement. Upon expiration of the probationary period, Petitioner may petition for release from probation provided she has fully complied with the terms of her probation.
IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the petition for reinstatement is hereby GRANTED and that Petitioner is conditionally reinstated as a member of the bar of this State as of the date of this order, subject to the terms of probation stated above.
Petitioner shall pay any costs owing under Admis. Disc. R. 23(21)(b). The hearing officer appointed in this case is discharged with the Court's appreciation.
All Justices concur.