IN THE MATTER OF THE REINSTATEMENT OF HART

IN THE MATTER OF THE REINSTATEMENT OF HART
2006 OK 11
Case Number: SCBD-5112
Decided: 02/06/2006

THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA

FOR PUBLICATION IN OBJ ONLY. NOT RELEASED FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.

IN THE MATTER OF THE REINSTATEMENT OF STEVEN ALLEN HART TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE OKLAHOMA BAR ASSOCIATION AND TO THE ROLL OF ATTORNEYS

ORDER

¶1 1. The petitioner for reinstatement to membership in the Oklahoma Bar Association, Steven Allen Hart, was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association and his name was entered on the Roll of Attorneys on October 2, 2001.

¶2 2. The petitioner was a resident of Colorado at the time of his admission to practice in Oklahoma, and is currently a resident of Colorado, residing at 1180 North Burlington Drive, Castle Rock, Colorado, 80104.

¶3 3. Petitioner has not resided in Oklahoma, or practiced law in Oklahoma at any time after being admitted to practice in Oklahoma.

¶4 4. Petitioner was admitted to practice in Colorado on October 25, 1999, after successful completion of the Colorado bar examination, and is a member in good standing of that Bar.

¶5 5. Petitioner was admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on November 3, 2003, after successful completion of the Pennsylvania bar examination, and is an member in good standing of that Bar.

¶6 6. The petitioner voluntarily resigned from the Oklahoma Bar Association effective June 14, 2005, and such resignation was not made with disciplinary proceedings or investigation pending.

¶7 7. On October 6, 2005, Steven Allen Hart filed a petition for reinstatement to membership in the Oklahoma Bar Association and to the roll of attorneys. He has not filed a petition for reinstatement to the Oklahoma Bar Association during the one-year period immediately preceding this application.

¶8 8. A hearing before the Trial Panel of the Professional Responsibility Tribunal was held on December 21, 2005, at which time the petitioner testified as to his competency in the law and his continuing legal education credits.

¶9 9. Petitioner submitted letters from former law professors and colleagues attesting to his good moral character and fitness to practice law.

¶10 10. Petitioner submitted an affidavit of compliance with payment of 2005 annual membership dues.

¶11 11. The trial panel unanimously recommended that the petitioner be reinstated to membership in the Oklahoma Bar Association.

¶12 12. Petitioner has agreed to pay the fees and expenses of investigation in processing his petition for reinstatement and the Oklahoma Bar Association has filed an application to assess costs in the amount of $296.49.

¶13 13. No funds of the Client's Security Fund of the Oklahoma Bar Association have been expended on Petitioner's behalf.

¶14 UPON CONSIDERATION OF THE MATTER WE FIND:

¶15 1) Petitioner's reinstatement is governed by Rule 11, Rules Governing Disciplinary Procedure, 5 O.S. 2001, Ch.1, App.1- A.

¶16 2) The petitioner has met all the procedural requirements necessary for reinstatement to the Oklahoma Bar Association under Rule 11, Rules Governing Disciplinary Proceedings.

¶17 3) The petitioner has established by clear and convincing evidence that he has not engaged in the unauthorized practice of law in the State of Oklahoma.

¶18 4) The petitioner has established by clear and convincing evidence that he possesses the competency and learning in the law required for reinstatement to the Oklahoma Bar Association.

¶19 5) The petitioner has established by clear and convincing evidence that he possesses the good moral character that would entitle him to be reinstated to the Oklahoma Bar Association.

¶20 IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the petition of Steven Allen Hart for reinstatement to membership in the Oklahoma Bar Association and to the Roll of Attorneys be granted. Petitioner is directed to pay costs of the proceeding in the amount of $296.49 within thirty (30) days of the date of this order.

¶21 DONE BY ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT IN CONFERENCE THIS 6TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2006.

/S/CHIEF JUSTICE