Appellate Division: Second Judicial

M245023

E/afa

WILLIAM F. MASTRO, J.P.

REINALDO E. RIVERA

MARK C. DILLON

RUTH C. BALKIN

JOHN M. LEVENTHAL, 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 Honorable 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. By decision and order on motion of this Court dated November 13, 2014, Mr. Hibner's first motion for reinstatement was held in abeyance and the matter was referred to the Committee on Character and Fitness to investigate and report on his current character and general fitness to practice law. By decision and order on motion of this Court dated June 9, 2016, Mr. Hibner's first motion for reinstatement was denied.

Upon the papers filed in support of the motion and no papers having been filed in opposition or in relation thereto, and upon the report of the Committee on Character and Fitness and the exhibits annexed thereto, it is

ORDERED that the motion is denied.

We find that John R. Hibner does not demonstrate the requisite character and fitness to practice law.

MASTRO, J.P., RIVERA, DILLON, BALKIN and LEVENTHAL, JJ., concur.

ENTER:

Aprilanne Agostino

Clerk of the Court