Court Opinion

ID: 9526917
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 03:25:57.390721+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:25:18.331678
License: Public Domain

*364Coleman, J.
(dissenting). Petitioner, twice suspended from the practice of law, appeals from the February 1, 1977 order of the State Bar Grievance Board denying his petition for reinstatement as a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
On February 27, 1976, after the expiration of the terms of suspension, Mr. Albert petitioned for reinstatement as an attorney in good standing. A proceeding lasting approximately ten hours was held before Tenth Congressional District Hearing Panel No. 1 on September 15, 1976. Petitioner testified in his own behalf and called as his one witness the investigator for the State Bar Grievance Board. On October 25, 1976, Hearing Panel No. 1 filed its report.
The hearing panel’s order denied the petition for reinstatement. Mr. Albert petitioned the grievance board for a review of the denial order. A hearing was held before the State Bar Grievance Board on January 21, 1977. On February 3, 1977 the grievance board affirmed the hearing panel’s denial of the petition for reinstatement.
In reinstatement proceedings following a revocation or suspension of a license to practice law for a term in excess of 120 days, as here, the burden is on the petitioner to establish by "clear and convincing evidence” that:
"(a) He desires in good faith to be restored to the privilege to practice law in this State;
"(b) The term of suspension prescribed in the order of suspension has elapsed or 5 years have elapsed since revocation of the license;
"(c) He has not practiced law contrary to the requirement of his suspension or revocation and has not attempted to do so since he was disciplined;
"(d) He has complied fully with the terms of the order for discipline;
"(e) His attitude towards the misconduct for which he was disciplined is one of genuine remorse;
*365"(f) His conduct since the discipline has been exemplary and above reproach;
"(g) He has a proper understanding of and attitude towards the standards that are imposed upon members of the bar and that he will conduct himself in conformity with such standards;
"(h) He can safely be recommended to the legal profession, the courts and the public as a person fit to be consulted by others and to represent them and otherwise to act in matters of trust and confidence, and in general to aid in the administration of justice as a member of the bar and as an officer of the courts.”1
The hearing panel found that petitioner did not satisfy the requirements under subsections (e), (g), and (h). Our examination of the transcripts and briefs discloses not only that the petitioner failed to meet his burden of proof, but also that the board’s findings have proper evidentiary support in this record presented to us at this time.
Justice Levin’s opinion provides an informative analysis of the thinking which led to our amending State Bar Rule 15, § 7. The amendment took place subsequent to our hearing respondent’s in propria persona appeal from a denial of reinstatement of his license to practice law. However, it is our opinion that a new hearing based on the newly amended rule is’ not necessary to a fair decision in this case.
Even if we eliminate consideration of Mr. Albert’s lack of remorse, the record of proceedings before the hearing panel and Mr. Albert’s oral argument before this Court persuade us that the bar grievance board had ample reason for its decision. We find no cause to remand and would affirm.
Fitzgerald and Ryan, JJ., concurred with Coleman, J.

 State Bar Rule 15, § 7.