Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M146771

E/ct

RANDALL T. ENG, P.J.

WILLIAM F. MASTRO

REINALDO E. RIVERA

PETER B. SKELOS

DANIEL D. ANGIOLILLO, JJ.

2006-06468 In the Matter of Charles Berkman, a suspended attorney. (Attorney Registration No. 1340561)

DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION FOR REINSTATEMENT

Motion by Charles Berkman for reinstatement to the Bar as an attorney and counselor-at-law. Mr. Berkman was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on October 21, 1953. By decision and order on application of this Court dated October 31, 2006, the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts was authorized to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding against Mr. Berkman and the issues raised were referred to the Honorable James A. Gowan, as Special Referee to hear and report. By decision and order on motion of this Court dated March 7, 2007, the Honorable James A. Gowan was relieved as Special Referee and the matter was reassigned to David I. Ferber, as Special Referee to hear and report. By opinion and order of this Court dated September 2, 2008, as amended September 25, 2008, Mr. Berkman was suspended from the practice of law for a period of three years, commencing October 10, 2008, based on five charges of professional misconduct.

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 Mr. Berkman's fitness to be an attorney.

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

ENTER:

Aprilanne Agostino

Clerk of the Court