In a move that challenges four decades of legal precedent, the New Jersey Supreme Court has greenlit the possibility for disbarred lawyers to petition for reinstatement. This decision, which took effect in October 2024, allows attorneys who have been disbarred for at least five years to return to practice, contingent on fulfilling several stringent requirements.
Currently, Layne S. Gordon and Nicole Tierney are the first candidates to advance through the initial stages of this reinstatement process, after achieving passing marks in the February bar exam. Out of nine disbarred attorneys who attempted the exam, they were the only two to succeed. They now face a series of conditions, including passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination and completing various continuing legal education courses. They must also provide notifications to those involved in their original disbarment cases and reimburse any parties owed.
Neither Gordon nor Tierney intends to resume traditional legal practices if reinstated. Tierney, who now works as a mental health counselor, aims to combine her counseling skills with legal practice, particularly in areas like expunging criminal records for underrepresented groups. Gordon desires to use his legal skills within his current business and community volunteer work. Both express a strong desire to reclaim their professional status and correct past mistakes.
Gordon was disbarred following a crime involving theft by deception linked to a dispute with his law partners. Tierney’s disbarment was due to the misappropriation of over $10,000 from clients’ trust funds. More details on New Jersey’s shift in disbarred lawyer reinstatements can be found in the original article.