Summary
The Supreme Court of Ohio suspended J. Walter Dragelevich from the practice of law on an interim basis after receiving a certified copy of a felony conviction. The court referred the matter for disciplinary investigation and imposed requirements concerning client notification, continuing legal education, reimbursement to the Clients’ Security Fund, and reinstatement.
Topics
Practice areas
Questions Presented
- Whether the Supreme Court of Ohio should impose an interim suspension upon certification of an attorney's felony conviction under Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A)(3) and V(5)(A)(4).
- What conditions and restrictions should accompany the interim suspension.
Holdings
- Upon certification of the judgment entry of respondent's felony conviction, the Supreme Court ordered respondent suspended from the practice of law for an interim period effective immediately.
- During the interim suspension, respondent was prohibited from practicing law or performing legal services, was required to satisfy continuing-legal-education and reinstatement requirements, and was ordered to comply with client-notification, property-return, fee-accounting, filing, and Clients' Security Fund reimbursement obligations.
Key quotations
“Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A)(4), it is ordered and decreed that J. Walter Dragelevich, Attorney Registration No. 0019672, last known address in Niles, Ohio, be, and hereby is, suspended from the practice of law for an interim period, effective as of the date of this entry.” (1552)
“IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this matter be, and is hereby, referred to the Disciplinary Counsel for investigation and commencement of disciplinary proceedings.” (1552)
Factual background
J. Walter Dragelevich was an attorney licensed to practice law in Ohio. On July 31, 2003, the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline certified a judgment entry showing that Dragelevich had been convicted of a felony.
Procedural history
After receiving a certified copy of respondent's felony-conviction judgment pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A)(3), the Supreme Court acted under Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A)(4). It ordered an interim suspension, imposed related compliance and continuing-legal-education requirements, and referred the matter to Disciplinary Counsel.