The Rhode Island Supreme Court has upheld the suspension of attorney Steven D. DiLibero for one year. This decision, made on September 14, 2026, affects DiLibero's ability to practice law in Rhode Island. The court's ruling is significant as it reinforces the consequences of disciplinary actions taken in other states.
The case, titled In the Matter of Steven D. DiLibero, was filed under docket number 2025-0076-M.P. The court's decision stems from a reciprocal disciplinary action based on a previous ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. This situation highlights how disciplinary measures in one state can impact a lawyer's standing in another.
In this case, the Rhode Island Supreme Court had previously imposed a suspension on DiLibero on June 16, 2025. The court's decision was based on a suspension order from Massachusetts, where DiLibero was also facing disciplinary action. The Rhode Island court's ruling indicated that DiLibero would serve six months and one day of his one-year suspension.
Disciplinary Counsel, representing the interests of the legal profession, requested that the Rhode Island court continue the suspension order until a further status update could be provided in early 2027. The court's ruling on September 14 confirmed that DiLibero would remain suspended, pending this update.
The court stated, "Accordingly, the respondent shall remain suspended pursuant to the Court’s June 16, 2025 order, until further order of the Court." This quote emphasizes the court's commitment to maintaining the suspension until new information is available.
The ruling was made by Chief Justice Suttell and Justices Robinson, Lynch Prata, and Long. Their decision reflects a unified stance on the importance of upholding disciplinary actions that have been taken in other jurisdictions.
This ruling has implications for both DiLibero and the legal community in Rhode Island. For DiLibero, it means he will continue to be unable to practice law until the court decides otherwise. For the legal community, it underscores the importance of maintaining ethical standards among attorneys, regardless of where they practice.
The Rhode Island Supreme Court's decision also sets a precedent for how reciprocal disciplinary actions are handled. It shows that the court takes the findings of other states seriously and is willing to enforce similar penalties to ensure the integrity of the legal profession.
Looking ahead, the court has requested that Disciplinary Counsel provide a status update by January 15, 2027. This update will likely determine the next steps for DiLibero and whether his suspension will continue or be lifted.
As of now, there are no indications that this ruling will be appealed. However, if new developments arise or if DiLibero's situation changes, it is possible that further legal action could take place.