Matter of Butler
Docket 22
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- Filed
- Jurisdiction
- New York
- Court
- Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
- Type
- Opinion
- Case type
- Other
- Disposition
- Granted
- Citation
- 2026 NY Slip Op 02585
- Docket
- 22
Application for reinstatement to the practice of law following suspension under Judiciary Law § 468-a
Summary
The Appellate Division, Fourth Department, issued a memorandum and order on April 24, 2026, terminating a previously imposed suspension and granting Gregory Jon Butler's application for reinstatement to the practice of law. The court reviewed the reinstatement application under Judiciary Law section 468-a and related rules governing attorney discipline and reinstatement. Concluding that Butler met the requirements for readmission, the court ended his suspension and restored his right to practice in New York.
Issues Decided
- Whether the suspended attorney met the statutory and regulatory criteria for reinstatement under Judiciary Law § 468-a and the court's reinstatement standards
- Whether termination of the prior suspension and restoration to the bar was appropriate given the applicant's conduct and rehabilitation
Court's Reasoning
The court determined that the applicant satisfied the conditions for reinstatement set by Judiciary Law § 468-a and the court's reinstatement criteria. Based on the record and the applicable standards, the court found sufficient evidence of rehabilitation and fitness to resume the practice of law. Consequently, termination of the suspension and reinstatement were warranted.
Authorities Cited
- Judiciary Law § 468-a
Parties
- Petitioner
- Judicial Department
- Respondent
- Gregory Jon Butler
Key Dates
- Decision date
- 2026-04-24
- Filing/Opinion filed date
- 2026-04-08
What You Should Do Next
- 1
Confirm administrative reinstatement steps
The reinstated attorney should comply with any court or Department of State administrative procedures to formally restore registration, including paying fees or filing notices required for active status.
- 2
Notify clients and courts
Butler should notify former and current clients and any courts where he has pending matters of his reinstatement and update his bar-registration and malpractice insurance as appropriate.
- 3
Consult counsel if considering appeal
If any party intends to challenge the order, they should consult appellate counsel promptly about deadlines and grounds for seeking further review.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What did the court decide?
- The court ended Gregory Butler's suspension and granted his request to be reinstated to the New York bar, allowing him to practice law again.
- Who is affected by this decision?
- Gregory Jon Butler is directly affected as he is reinstated; clients, opposing counsel, and courts interacting with him will recognize his restored bar status.
- What grounds supported reinstatement?
- The court found that Butler met the statutory and court-imposed requirements for reinstatement, including evidence of rehabilitation and fitness to practice, under Judiciary Law § 468-a.
- Can this decision be appealed?
- Decisions of the Appellate Division regarding attorney discipline and reinstatement are typically final within that department, though further review to a higher court is possible in limited circumstances; consult counsel for appellate options.
The above suggestions and answers are AI-generated for informational purposes only. They may contain errors. NoticeRegistry assumes no responsibility for their accuracy. Consult a qualified attorney before relying on them.
Full Filing Text
Matter of Butler - 2026 NY Slip Op 02585 Matter of Butler 2026 NY Slip Op 02585 April 24, 2026 Appellate Division, Fourth Department MATTER OF ATTORNEYS IN VIOLATION OF JUDICIARY LAW § 468-a AND JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT, PETITIONER. GREGORY JON BUTLER, RESPONDENT. Supreme Court of the State of New York, Appellate Division, Fourth Judicial Department Decided on April 24, 2026 22 Present: Curran J.P., Bannister, Montour, Greenwood, And Hannah, JJ. (Filed Apr. 8, 2026.) MEMORANDUM AND ORDER Order entered terminating suspension and granting application for reinstatement to the practice of law.