IN RE: Jordan L. RING (1998)

Respondent was admitted to practice by this court in 1990.   He maintained a law office in Massachusetts, where he was admitted to practice in 1960.

Petitioner, the Committee on Professional Standards, moves for an order reciprocally disciplining respondent (see, 22 NYCRR 806.19) by reason of his three-month suspension by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, effective June 18, 1998.   Respondent was suspended because he repeatedly disobeyed court orders entered in his divorce action, resulting in at least seven adjudications of contempt, the issuance of three separate warrants for his arrest, and two brief incarcerations.   According to the decision of the Supreme Judicial Court, respondent was emotionally traumatized by the breakup of his 35-year marriage and his judgment was consequently impaired during the course of the divorce proceeding, which was finalized in 1994.   Respondent enjoyed a previously unblemished disciplinary record.

Upon this record, we grant petitioner's motion and further conclude that the interests of justice will be served by imposing upon respondent the same discipline in this State as was imposed in Massachusetts, namely a three-month suspension.

ORDERED that petitioner's motion is granted;  and it is further

ORDERED that respondent is suspended from practice for a period of three months, effective immediately, and until further order of this court;  and it is further

ORDERED that respondent, while so suspended, is commanded to desist and refrain from the practice of law in any form either as principal or as agent, clerk or employee of another;  and he is forbidden to appear as attorney or counselor-at-law before any court, judge, justice, board, commission or other public authority or to give to another any opinion as to the law or its application, or any advice in relation thereto;  and it is further

ORDERED that respondent shall comply with the provisions of this court's rule (22 NYCRR 806.9) regulating the conduct of suspended attorneys.

PER CURIAM.