1. (a) Enforcement Rule 218(c) provides that the procedure for petitioning for reinstatement from disability inactive status, suspension for a period exceeding one year or disbarment is as follows:

   1. (1) Petitions for reinstatement shall be filed with the Board.

      Note

      The Board will not treat a petition for reinstatement as properly filed for purposes of commencing the procedures set forth in this section unless and until the petition is accompanied by a completed reinstatement questionnaire as required by § 89.275 (relating to completion of questionnaire by petitioner-attorney).

   2. (2) Within 60 days after the filing of a petition for reinstatement, Disciplinary Counsel shall file a response thereto with the Board and serve a copy on the formerly admitted attorney. Upon receipt of the response, the Board shall refer the petition and response to a hearing committee appointed by the Board Prothonotary pursuant to § 93.81(c) (relating to hearing committees) in the disciplinary district in which the formerly admitted attorney maintained an office at the time of the transfer to disability inactive status, disbarment or suspension. If any other formal disciplinary proceedings are then pending against the formerly admitted attorney at the time the Board refers the matter to a hearing committee or are authorized after the referral and at any time prior to the hearing, the reinstatement and disciplinary matters may be heard by the same hearing committee. In such case the combined hearing shall be held not later than 45 days after receipt by the Board of the response to the petition for reinstatement.

      Note

      If Disciplinary Counsel objects to reinstatement of the formerly admitted attorney, the response to the petition for reinstatement should explain in reasonable detail the reasons for the objection.

   3. (3) The hearing committee shall promptly schedule a hearing at which a disbarred or suspended attorney shall have the burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that such person has the moral qualifications, competency and learning in law required for admission to practice law in this Commonwealth and that the resumption of the practice of law within the Commonwealth by such person will be neither detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar or the administration of justice nor subversive of the public interest. When the petitioner-attorney is seeking reinstatement from disbarment, the threshold inquiry articulated in Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Keller, 509 Pa. 573, 579, 506 A.2d 872, 875 (1986) and its progeny applies. See § 91.78 for burden of proof applicable to disability inactive attorney seeking reinstatement.

      Note

      The requirement that a hearing be scheduled ‘‘promptly’’ means that a hearing should ordinarily be held within 60 days after the petition for reinstatement has been filed with the Board and the response from Disciplinary Counsel has been received, unless the chair of the hearing committee extends that time for good cause shown.

   4. (4) At conclusion of the hearing, the hearing committee shall promptly file a report containing its findings and recommendations and transmit same to the Board.
   5. (5) The Board shall review the report of the hearing committee and the record and shall promptly file its own findings and recommendations, together with the briefs, if any, before the Board along with the entire record, with the Supreme Court. See § 89.208 (relating to participation by the Board before the Supreme Court).
   6. (6) In the event the Board recommends reinstatement and the Supreme Court, after consideration of that recommendation, is of the view that a rule to show cause should be served upon the petitioner-attorney why an order denying reinstatement should not be entered, the same shall be issued setting forth the areas of the Court’s concern. A copy of the rule shall be served on Disciplinary Counsel (see § 89.27 (relating to service upon Disciplinary Counsel)). Within 20 days after service of the rule, petitioner-attorney, as well as Disciplinary Counsel, may submit to the Supreme Court a response thereto. Unless otherwise ordered, matters arising under Enforcement Rule 218 will be considered without oral argument.

2. (b) Enforcement Rule 218(d) provides that the procedure for petitioning for reinstatement from retired status for more than three years; inactive status for more than three years; administrative suspension for more than three years; retired status, inactive status or administrative suspension if the formerly admitted attorney has not been on active status at any time within the past three years; or after transfer to inactive status as a result of the sale of a law practice pursuant to Rule 1.17 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct, is as follows:

   1. (1) Petitions for reinstatement shall be filed with the Board.

   2. (2) Within 60 days after the filing of a petition for reinstatement, Disciplinary Counsel shall either:

      1. (i) file a response thereto with the Board and serve a copy on the formerly admitted attorney; or

      2. (ii) file a certification with the Board Prothonotary stating that after a review of the petition for reinstatement and reasonably diligent inquiry, Disciplinary Counsel has determined that there is no impediment to reinstatement and that the petitioner-attorney will meet his or her burden of proof under subsection (3) if the petition were to proceed to hearing under (4).

         Official Note

         If Disciplinary Counsel objects to reinstatement of the formerly admitted attorney under (b)(2)(i), the response to the petition for reinstatement should explain in reasonable detail the reasons for the objection.

   3. (3) A formerly admitted attorney who has been on retired status, inactive status or administrative suspension shall have the burden of demonstrating that such person has the moral qualifications, competency and learning in the law required for admission to practice in the Commonwealth.
   4. (4) Upon receipt of a response under (b)(2)(i), the Board shall refer the petition and response to a single senior or experienced hearing committee member in the disciplinary district in which the formerly admitted attorney maintained an office at the time of transfer to or assumption of retired or inactive status, or transfer to administrative suspension; the single senior or experienced hearing committee member shall promptly schedule a hearing during which the hearing committee member shall perform the functions of a hearing committee under this subsection (b). If any other formal disciplinary proceedings are then pending against the formerly admitted attorney at the time the Board refers the matter to a hearing committee or are authorized after the referral and at any time prior to the hearing, the reinstatement and disciplinary matters may be heard by the same hearing committee. In such case the combined hearing shall be held not later than 45 days after receipt by the Board of the response to the petition for reinstatement.
   5. (5) At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing committee member shall promptly file a report containing the member’s findings and recommendations and transmit same, together with the record, to the Board. Thereafter, the matter will proceed in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (a)(5) and (a)(6) of this section.

   6. (6) Upon receipt of a certification filed by Disciplinary Counsel under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section, the Board Chair shall designate a single member of the Board to review the record and certification and to issue a report and recommendation.

      1. (i) If the Board Member decides that reinstatement should be denied or that a hearing on the petition is warranted, the designated Board Member shall issue a report setting forth the areas of the designated Board Member’s concern and direct that the matter be scheduled for hearing pursuant to paragraph (b)(4) of this section.
   7. (7) Upon receipt of a report and recommendation for an order of reinstatement, the Court may enter an order reinstating the formerly admitted attorney to active status; the Chief Justice may delegate the processing and entry of orders under this paragraph (b)(7) to the Court Prothonotary.
3. (c) Enforcement Rule 218(e) provides that in all proceedings upon a petition for reinstatement, cross-examination of the petitioner-attorney’s witnesses and the submission of evidence, if any, in opposition to the petition shall be conducted by Disciplinary Counsel.

4. (d) Attorneys suspended for less than one year. Enforcement Rule 218(g) provides that:

   1. (1) Upon the expiration of any term of suspension not exceeding one year and upon the filing thereafter by the formerly admitted attorney with the Board of a verified statement showing compliance with all the terms and conditions of the order of suspension and of Chapter 91 Subchapter E (relating to formerly admitted attorneys), along with the payment of a non-refundable filing fee of $250, the Board shall certify such fact to the Supreme Court, which shall immediately enter an order reinstating the formerly admitted attorney to active status, unless such person is subject to another outstanding order of temporary suspension, suspension or disbarment.

   2. (2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not be applicable and a formerly admitted attorney shall be subject instead to the other provisions of this rule requiring the filing of a petition for reinstatement, if:

      1. (i) other formal disciplinary proceedings are then pending or have been authorized against the formerly admitted attorney;
      2. (ii) the formerly admitted attorney has been on retired status, inactive status or administrative suspension for more than three years;
      3. (iii) the formerly admitted attorney has not been on active status for more than three years due to a combination of retired status, inactive status, administrative suspension, temporary suspension and/or a term of suspension not exceeding one year and had not been on active status at any time within the three-year period preceding the entry of the order; or
      4. (iv) the order of suspension has been in effect for more than three years.
   3. (3) A verified statement may not be filed under paragraph (1) until the formerly admitted attorney has paid in full any costs taxed under § 89.209 (relating to expenses of formal proceedings) and has made any required restitution to the Lawyers Fund for Client Security under Enforcement Rule 531 (relating to restitution a condition for reinstatement).

Source

The provisions of this § 89.273 amended through July 8, 1983, effective July 9, 1983, with respect to assessment years commencing July 1, 1983 and thereafter, 13 Pa.B. 2138; amended April 13, 1990, effective April 14, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 2009; amended December 7, 1990, effective December 8, 1990, 20 Pa.B. 6041; amended May 17, 1991, effective May 18, 1991, 21 Pa.B. 2333; amended February 4, 1994, effective February 5, 1994, 24 Pa.B. 730; amended April 26, 1996, effective April 27, 1996, 26 Pa.B. 1984; amended July 13, 2001, effective July 14, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 3731; amended April 12, 2002, effective April 13, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 1838; amended February 20, 2004, effective February 21, 2004, 34 Pa.B. 948; amended March 11, 2005, effective March 12, 2005, 35 Pa.B. 1656; amended August 7, 2009, effective August 8, 2009, 39 Pa.B. 4725; amended August 10, 2012, effective August 11, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 5156; amended November 2, 2012, effective November 3, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 6864; amended September 27, 2019, effective 30 days after publication, 49 Pa.B. 5552; amended May 8, 2020, effective 30 days after publication, 50 Pa.B. 2388; amended December 15, 2023, effective 30 days after publication, 53 Pa.B. 7704. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (397852) to (397854) and (401569) to (401570).