IN RE: Jeff Jinsoo SHIM (2025)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON MOTION

Jeff Jinsoo Shim was admitted to practice by this Court in 2018 but was thereafter granted leave to resign from the New York bar for nondisciplinary reasons by July 2023 order of this Court (218 A.D.3d 917, 192 N.Y.S.3d 335 [3d Dept. 2023]).  Expressing an intention to relocate back to New York, Shim now moves for reinstatement to the New York bar, and the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department (hereinafter AGC) opposes his application.

An attorney seeking reinstatement following his or her nondisciplinary resignation must comport with certain procedural and substantive requirements.  Here, Shim appropriately submitted an application consistent with the form affidavit as provided in appendix F to Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.22(b) (see Matter of Boden, 232 A.D.3d 1194, 1194, 222 N.Y.S.3d 245 [3d Dept. 2024];  see also Rules of App.Div., 3d Dept [22 NYCRR] § 806.22[b][1]).  While we acknowledge that an applicant who has been resigned for an actual duration of more than two years must submit proof that he or she has earned certain continuing legal education (hereinafter CLE) credits (see Matter of Rankin, 233 A.D.3d 1344, 1344–1345, 223 N.Y.S.3d 762 [3d Dept. 2024];  Rules of App.Div., 3d Dept [22 NYCRR] § 806.22[b][2];  see also Rules of App.Div., All Depts [22 NYCRR] § 1500.2[c], [d], [e], [g], [h]), we conclude that this Rule does not apply to Shim in this instance, as he made his application for reinstatement from nondisciplinary resignation in January 2025, which is less than two years following his resignation, which was granted in July 2023.

As to the substantive requirements, specifically Shim's legal education or experience, as well as his character and fitness (see Matter of Gaudioso, 159 A.D.3d 1217, 1218, 70 N.Y.S.3d 93 [3d Dept. 2018];  Matter of Lipman, 152 A.D.3d 1158, 1158, 56 N.Y.S.3d 479 [3d Dept. 2017]), he indicates that he has completed CLE credits in the State of Washington, where he is also admitted to practice, thereby demonstrating his currency in recent developments in the law.  A review of Shim's submissions does not raise any character and fitness issues, inasmuch as he remains in good standing in the State of Washington, has not been the subject of professional misconduct complaints, discipline or criminal matters since his nondisciplinary resignation in this state or that he has any impairments which may limit his ability to practice law.  Having resolved AGC's sole opposition to Shim's application, we grant his application and reinstate him to the practice of law.

ORDERED that Jeff Jinsoo Shim's application for reinstatement is granted;  and it is further

ORDERED that Jeff Jinsoo Shim's name is hereby restored to the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law of the State of New York, effective immediately;  and it is further

ORDERED that Jeff Jinsoo Shim shall, within 30 days of the date of this decision, file an attorney registration statement with the Chief Administrator of the Courts pursuant to Judiciary Law § 468–a and Rules of the Chief Administrator of the Courts (22 NYCRR) § 118.1.

Per Curiam.

Egan Jr., J.P., Ceresia, McShan, Powers and Mackey, JJ., concur.