In the Matter of Steven D. DiLibero

• Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
• Decided: June 16, 2025
• Docket: 2025-0076-M.P.
• Status: Published

Opinion

Supreme Court No. 2025-76-M.P.

In the Matter of Steven D. DiLibero. :

ORDER This matter is before the Court pursuant to a petition for reciprocal discipline

filed by this Court’s Disciplinary Counsel in accordance with Article III, Rule 14 of

the Supreme Court Rules of Disciplinary Procedure for Attorneys. The respondent,

Steven D. DiLibero, was admitted to the practice of law in this state on May 26,

1992. The respondent is also admitted to the practice of law in the Commonwealth

of Massachusetts (hereinafter, Commonwealth).

On January 9, 2025, a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court for the

Commonwealth issued a Memorandum of Decision (hereinafter, Decision) and an

Order of Term Suspension/Partially Stayed (hereinafter, Suspension Order) against

respondent, suspending his license to practice for a period of one year, with six

months and one day to be served, and the balance of the suspension stayed for a

period of one year following the entry date of the Suspension Order, contingent on

respondent taking and passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility

Examination and attending five hours of continuing legal education classes pre-

approved by the Commonwealth’s Office of Bar Counsel. The effective date of this

-1- Suspension Order was February 8, 2025. The respondent has not been readmitted to

the practice of law in the Commonwealth.

Article III, Rule 14(a), entitled “Reciprocal discipline,” provides, in pertinent

part: “Upon notification from any source that a lawyer within the jurisdiction of the

[Disciplinary] Board has been disciplined in another jurisdiction, [Disciplinary]

Counsel shall obtain a certified copy of the disciplinary order and file it with the

[C]ourt.” On March 20, 2025, Disciplinary Counsel filed a certified copy of the

Decision and Suspension Order with this Court along with her request that we

impose reciprocal discipline.

On March 25, 2025, we issued an order to respondent providing him thirty

days to assert any claim he may have that the reciprocal discipline should not be

imposed. The respondent requested an extension to reply, which was granted by rule

of court.

On May 16, 2025, respondent timely filed a response to the order to show

cause, asking that this Court enter an order of reciprocal discipline retroactive to

February 8, 2025, the effective date of his Suspension Order in the Commonwealth.

This matter was before this Court at our conference on May 29, 2025. After

a review of the record, we determine that respondent has failed to show cause why

identical reciprocal discipline should not be imposed. We also deny respondent’s

request for the discipline to be imposed retroactively.

-2- The respondent, Steven D. DiLibero, is hereby suspended from the practice

of law in this state for one year with six months and one day to be served, and the

balance of the suspension stayed for a period of one year following the entry date of

this order, effective immediately. If respondent fails to comply with the

contingencies mandated in the Decision and Suspension Order, specifically, taking

and passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination and attending

five hours of continuing legal education classes pre-approved by the

Commonwealth’s Office of Bar Counsel, and his suspension in the Commonwealth

is extended beyond six months and one day to serve or the stay of the balance of the

one year suspension is removed, respondent shall advise Disciplinary Counsel

immediately, who shall report this extended discipline to this Court for further

proceedings.

The respondent is directed to comply with the mandates of Article III, Rule

15 of the Supreme Court Rules of Disciplinary Procedure for Attorneys, and within

thirty (30) days after the effective date of this order, the respondent shall file with

the Clerk of this Court an affidavit showing:

(1) That he has fully complied with the provision of this order and with the requirements of Article III, Rule 15;

(2) A list of other state, federal and administrative jurisdictions to which he is admitted to practice law; and,

-3- (3) That he has served a copy of the affidavit upon Disciplinary Counsel. The affidavit shall also set forth the residence or other address where communications may thereafter be directed to the respondent.

Entered as an order of this Court this 16th day of June 2025.

By Order,

/s/ Meredith A. Benoit Clerk

-4- STATE OF RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT – CLERK’S OFFICE Licht Judicial Complex 250 Benefit Street Providence, RI 02903

ORDER COVER SHEET

Title of Case In the Matter of Steven D. DiLibero.

Case Number No. 2025-76-M.P.

Date Order Filed June 16, 2025

Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Robinson, Lynch Prata, and Justices Long, JJ.

Source of Appeal N/A

Judicial Officer from Lower Court N/A

For Petitioner:

Kerry Travers, Esq. Attorney(s) on Appeal Chief Disciplinary Counsel For Respondent:

Christopher S. Gontarz, Esq.

SU-CMS-02B (revised November 2022)