Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M119098

E/ct

A. GAIL PRUDENTI, P.J.

WILLIAM F. MASTRO

REINALDO E. RIVERA

PETER B. SKELOS

DANIEL D. ANGIOLILLO, JJ.

1999-07006 In the Matter of Joel R. Brandes, a disbarred attorney. (Attorney Registration No. 1168483)

DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION FOR REINSTATEMENT

Motion by Joel R. Brandes for reinstatement 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 decision and order on motion of this Court dated October 26, 1999, the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District was authorized to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding against Mr. Brandes, and the matter was referred to the Honorable Joseph A. Esquirol, Jr., as Special Referee to hear and report. By decision and order on motion of this Court dated March 28, 2000, Mr. Brandes's motion to dismiss the previously authorized disciplinary proceeding was denied. By opinion and order of this Court dated April 28, 2002, Mr. Brandes was disbarred upon a finding that he was guilty of five charges of professional misconduct. By decision and order on motion of this Court dated October 16, 2002, Mr. Brandes's motion for reargument or for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals was denied. By decision and order on motion of this Court dated November 5, 2009, Mr. Bandes 's first motion for reinstatement was denied.

Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and the papers filed in relation 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 Joel R. Brandes's current fitness to be an attorney.

PRUDENTI, P.J., MASTRO, RIVERA, SKELOS and ANGIOLILLO, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Matthew G. Kiernan

Clerk of the Court