Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M53783

K/nl

A. GAIL PRUDENTI, P.J.

HOWARD MILLER

ROBERT W. SCHMIDT

STEPHEN G. CRANE

ANITA R. FLORIO, JJ.

2004-11064 In the Matter of Edward C. Katz, admitted as Edward Charles Katz, a suspended attorney. (Attorney Registration No. 1118371)

DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION FOR REINSTATEMENT

Motion by the respondent for reinstatement as an attorney and counselor-at-law. The respondent was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on February 25, 1976, under the name Edward Charles Katz. By decision and order on motion of this court dated May 9, 2005, the respondent was suspended from the practice of law pursuant to Judiciary Law § 90(4)(f), as a result of his conviction of a serious crime, the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District was authorized to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding against the respondent, and the issues raised were referred to a Special Referee to hear and report. By decision and order on motion of this court dated June 29, 2005, the effective date of the suspension was extended until July 1, 2005. By opinion and order dated May 16, 2006, the two charges of professional misconduct against the respondent were sustained and the respondent was suspended from the practice of law for a period of two years with credit afforded him for the time already elapsed under the interim suspension imposed by the decision and order on motion dated May 9, 2005, as amended by the decision and order on motion dated June 29, 2005.

Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and the papers filed in response thereto, it is

ORDERED that the motion is held in abeyance and the matter is referred to the Committee on Character and Fitness to investigate and report on the respondent's current fitness to be an attorney.

PRUDENTI, P.J., MILLER, SCHMIDT, CRANE and FLORIO, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

James Edward Pelzer

Clerk of the Court