Summary
In Akron Bar Assn. v. Barron (1999), 85 Ohio St.3d 167, 707 N.E.2d 850, we suspended indefinitely the license of an attorney who had practiced law in violation of our ordered sanction for his noncompliance with CLE requirements and who had also failed to cooperate in the investigation of this misconduct.
Summary of this case from Toledo Bar Assn. v. CrandallOpinion
No. 98-2215.
Submitted December 16, 1998.
Decided March 24, 1999.
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 97-87.
On June 18, 1993, we suspended respondent, Chris Marshall Barron of Akron, Ohio, Attorney Registration No. 0029287, from the practice of law for failure to meet his continuing legal education requirements for the 1990-1991 reporting period and fined him $750. In re Report of Comm. on Continuing Legal Edn. (1993), 66 Ohio St.3d 1513, 1515, 614 N.E.2d 760, 761. On October 13, 1997, relator, Akron Bar Association, filed a complaint charging that respondent, while still under that suspension, engaged in the practice of law by entering an appearance in the Akron Municipal Court in the case of Bell v. Kanaan, No. 96CV09851, and by later advising Kanaan in that case. Respondent was served with the complaint as provided in the Rules for the Government of the Bar and failed to file an answer. Relator filed a motion for default, and the matter was referred to a panel of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the Supreme Court ("board").
The panel found the facts as alleged and concluded that respondent had violated DR 1-102(A)(2) (a lawyer shall not attempt to circumvent a Disciplinary Rule through the actions of another), (4) (a lawyer shall not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation), (5) (a lawyer shall not engage in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice), and (6) (a lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects upon the lawyer's fitness to practice law). It recommended that respondent be indefinitely suspended from the practice of law and remain subject to the order of June 18, 1993. The board adopted the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the panel.
William M. Oldham and George W. Rooney, Jr., for relator.
Practicing law while under suspension for failure to meet continuing legal education requirements and pay the imposed fine warranted indefinite suspension in Toledo Bar Assn. v. Christensen (1996), 77 Ohio St.3d 71, 671 N.E.2d 30, and such a sanction is also warranted in this case. Respondent is hereby indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio and remains subject to the conditions of our order of June 18, 1993. Costs taxed to respondent.
Judgment accordingly.
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur.