Disciplinary Counsel v. Barnes

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio imposed reciprocal discipline on Donald Henry Barnes based on his indefinite suspension by the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts. The court indefinitely suspended Barnes from practicing law in Ohio, subject to reinstatement conditions including reinstatement in Massachusetts and compliance with Ohio bar rules.

Holdings

1. Under Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4), the Supreme Court of Ohio imposed an indefinite suspension from the practice of law in Ohio based on the certified Massachusetts order indefinitely suspending Barnes.
2. Barnes may not petition for reinstatement in Ohio until at least five years after the Ohio order and may not be reinstated unless he is reinstated in Massachusetts and satisfies the Ohio rules and the conditions imposed by the order.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Ohio should impose identical or comparable discipline under its reciprocal-discipline rule after a Massachusetts court indefinitely suspended Barnes and Barnes failed to respond to the Ohio show-cause order.
2. What conditions and related obligations should govern Barnes's indefinite suspension and any future reinstatement in Ohio.

Disposition

other