On Thursday, May 4, 2023, the State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division Third Judicial Department granted the reinstatement of attorney Sai Prasad Rao from the practice of law in the state of New York.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Sai Prasad Rao,” with case no. 102-23.
In a significant legal development, the New York Supreme Court has ruled in favor of attorney Michael John Naughton, allowing his reinstatement to the practice of law. This decision comes after Naughton’s suspension by a court order in May 2019, as documented in the Matter of Attorneys in Violation of Judiciary Law § 468-a, 172 AD3d 1706, 1748 [3d Dept 2019].
Upon thorough review of Naughton’s notice of motion, affidavit, and accompanying exhibits, which were duly sworn to on January 10, 2023, supplemented by additional papers filed with the court on February 28, 2023, and considering the responsive correspondence from the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department, dated February 10, 2023, the court has reached a clear and convincing determination. It has found that Naughton has fully complied with the order of suspension and the rules imposed by the court, and further attests to his character and fitness to practice law. Crucially, the court also recognizes that Naughton’s reinstatement would serve the public interest.
As a result, the court issues an official order granting Naughton’s motion for reinstatement, thus restoring his ability to practice law.
The Disposition states:
“ORDERED that respondent’s motion for reinstatement is granted; and it is further ORDERED that respondent is reinstated as an attorney and counselor-at-law, effective immediately.”
Mr. Rao practices in Washington DC. He is licensed in DC and New York, with license no. 5095120.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
