IN RE: F. Elias BOUJAOUDE (2025)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER ON MOTION

F. Elias Boujaoude was admitted to practice by this Court in 2018.  He was granted leave to resign from the New York bar by November 2024 order of this Court (232 A.D.3d 987, 219 N.Y.S.3d 816 [3d Dept. 2024]), however, citing that he no longer practiced law in the state of New York. Now citing concerns about staffing reductions at the federal level, Boujaoude now moves for his reinstatement in New York, and the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department (hereinafter AGC) advises that it does not oppose Boujaoude's application.

An attorney seeking reinstatement following his or her nondisciplinary resignation must submit an application consistent with the form affidavit as provided in appendix F to Rules for Attorney Disciplinary Matters (22 NYCRR) § 1240.22(b).¹  In terms of substantive requirements, the applicant must also establish that he or she possesses both the legal education or experience, as well as the necessary character and fitness as would be required of an applicant for admission in the first instance (see Matter of Boden, 232 A.D.3d 1194, 1195, 222 N.Y.S.3d 245 [3d Dept. 2024];  Matter of Saul, 226 A.D.3d 1144, 1145, 208 N.Y.S.3d 379 [3d Dept. 2024]).

Here, Boujaoude has properly submitted an affidavit in the required form, and his attestations, overall, raise no concerns about his character and fitness to resume the practice of law in this state (see Matter of Finamore, 207 A.D.3d 1022, 1023, 170 N.Y.S.3d 922 [3d Dept. 2022]).  As to his legal education, Boujaoude provided proof that, in April and May 2025, he earned more than nine New York continuing legal education credits (see Rules of App.Div., All Depts [22 NYCRR] § 1500.2[c], [d], [f], [h]), which demonstrates that he remains current in developments in New York law and would potentially satisfy the continuing legal education requirements attendant to his biennial registration requirements in this jurisdiction were he to be reinstated (see Rules of App.Div., All Depts [22 NYCRR] § 1500.22[a]).  Having determined that Boujaoude has the required character and fitness, and legal training, and absent any objection from AGC, we grant his application and restore his name to the roll of attorneys and counselors-at-law, effective immediately (see Matter of Cobb, 236 A.D.3d 1135, 1137, 228 N.Y.S.3d 785 [3d Dept. 2025];  Matter of Saul, 226 A.D.3d at 1146, 208 N.Y.S.3d 379;  Matter of Finamore, 207 A.D.3d at 1023, 170 N.Y.S.3d 922).

ORDERED that F. Elias Boujaoude's application for reinstatement is granted;  and it is further

ORDERED that F. Elias Boujaoude'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 F. Elias Boujaoude 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.

FOOTNOTES

1.   While not applicable to Boujaoude given the length of time since his resignation, we nonetheless remind the bar that an applicant seeking reinstatement following nondisciplinary resignation who has been resigned for an actual duration of two years or more must provide proof that, within two years preceding such application, he or she successfully completed certain continuing legal education credits (see e.g. Matter of Rankin, 233 A.D.3d 1344, 1344–1345, 223 N.Y.S.3d 762 [3d Dept. 2024]).

Per Curiam.

Garry, P.J., Pritzker, Reynolds Fitzgerald, McShan and Powers, JJ., concur.