Appellate Division: Second Judicial Department

M182239

E/ct

RANDALL T. ENG, P.J.

REINALDO E. RIVERA

MARK C. DILLON

RUTH C. BALKIN

THOMAS A. DICKERSON, JJ.

2007-08060 In the Matter of John R. Hibner, a suspended attorney. (Attorney Registration No. 1142629)

DECISION & ORDER ON MOTION FOR REINSTATEMENT

Motion by John R. Hibner for reinstatement to the Bar as an attorney and counselor-at-law. Mr. Hibner was admitted to the Bar at a term of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the Second Judicial Department on March 15, 1978. By decision and order on application of this Court dated December 28, 2007, the Grievance Committee for the Tenth Judicial District was authorized to institute and prosecute a disciplinary proceeding against Mr. Hibner, and the issues raised were referred to the Hon. Joseph A. Esquirol, Jr., as Special Referee, to hear and report. By opinion and order of this Court dated March 23, 2010, Mr. Hibner was suspended from the practice of law for a period of four years based on nine 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 John R. Hibner's current character and general fitness to practice law, including but not limited to, the scope of Mr. Hibner's employment during the period of his suspension, the listing of "attorney" as his occupation on the tax returns submitted in connection with this motion, and the absence of any letters from character witnesses.

ENG, P.J., RIVERA, DILLON, BALKIN and DICKERSON, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Aprilanne Agostino

Clerk of the Court