Pennsylvania Code
Title 204 - JUDICIAL SYSTEM GENERAL PROVISIONS
Part V - PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND CONDUCT
Subpart C - DISCIPLINARY BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
Chapter 89 - FORMAL PROCEEDINGS
Subchapter F - REINSTATEMENT AND RESUMPTION OF PRACTICE
REINSTATEMENT OF FORMERLY ADMITTED ATTORNEYS
Section 89.272 - Waiting period

(a) General rule relating to disbarment. Enforcement Rule 218(b) provides that a person who has been disbarred may not apply for reinstatement until the expiration of at least five years from the effective date of the disbarment, except that a person who has been disbarred pursuant to § 91.51 (relating to reciprocal discipline and disability) may apply for reinstatement at any earlier date on which reinstatement may be sought in the jurisdiction of initial discipline. Enforcement Rule 217(e)(3) and its Note, and Enforcement Rule 218(b) provide that after the entry of an order of disbarment, which order has been entered on or after February 28, 2015, the waiting period for eligibility to apply for reinstatement to the practice of law shall not begin until the formerly admitted attorney files the verified statement required by § 91.96 (relating to proof of compliance); and that if the order of disbarment contains a provision that makes the disbarment retroactive to an earlier date, the waiting period will be deemed to have begun on that earlier date.

(b) General rule relating to suspension for a period exceeding one year. Enforcement Rule 217(e)(3) and its Note provide that after the entry of an order of suspension for a period exceeding one year, which order has been entered on or after February 28, 2015, the waiting period for eligibility to apply for reinstatement to the practice of law shall not begin until the formerly admitted attorney files the verified statement required by § 91.96 (relating to proof of compliance); and that if the order of suspension contains a provision that makes the suspension retroactive to an earlier date, the waiting period will be deemed to have begun on that earlier date.

(c) Premature petitions. Unless otherwise provided in an order of suspension or disbarment, the Board will not entertain a petition for reinstatement filed prior to the expiration of the period set forth in subsection (a), or more than nine months prior to the expiration of the term of suspension, as the case may be. The Board will also not entertain a petition for reinstatement filed before the formerly admitted attorney has paid in full any costs taxed under § 89.209 (relating to expenses of formal proceedings) or under § 89.278 (relating to expenses of reinstatement proceedings) with respect to any previous reinstatement proceeding and has made any required restitution to the Lawyers Fund for Client Security under Enforcement Rule 531 (relating to restitution a condition for reinstatement).

(d) Second or subsequent petitions. Where a petition for reinstatement has been finally denied, the Board, unless otherwise ordered by the Supreme Court in a specific case, will not entertain a second or subsequent petition for reinstatement until after the expiration of at least one year after the immediately preceding petition has been finally denied.