Former New York attorney general gets his law license back
Eric Schneiderman resigned as the New York attorney general in 2018. Photo by Richard Drew/The Associated Press.
Former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has regained his law license after a one-year suspension for physically abusing a lawyer and two other women with whom he was romantically involved.
The Appellate Division’s First Judicial Department of the New York State Supreme Court ordered reinstatement Sept. 6. Schneiderman had sought reinstatement Aug. 15; there was no opposition by the Attorney Grievance Committee.
Publications with coverage of the reinstatement include the New York Post, Law360 and Law.com.
Allegations of physical abuse first came to light in a May 2018 article from the New Yorker. Schneiderman resigned as the state attorney general hours later. He began weekly therapy sessions with a psychiatrist that same month and completed a one-month inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program.
According to stipulated facts in the ethics case, Schneiderman placed his hands on the necks of the two women with whom he was in long-term relationships “and applied pressure without obtaining consent.” He also slapped the women and was verbally and emotionally abusive toward them. He also slapped the lawyer twice during a romantic encounter.
Schneiderman’s lawyer told the publications that Schneiderman is grateful for the decision to reinstate him.
“He has committed himself to working every day to become a better person and to earn the trust placed in him by the court,” said the lawyer, Michael Ross.
Ross said Schneiderman plans to work on legal issues that “promote strong social and community values.”
