Disciplinary Counsel v. Meyer

134 Ohio St. 3d 180, 2012-Ohio-5487 (2012) · Supreme Court of Ohio · November 29, 2012 · No. 2012-1001

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio disciplined Rebecca Christine Meyer for practicing law while suspended, making false and misleading statements to disciplinary counsel, and failing to update her attorney-registration information after changing her name. The court imposed an 18-month suspension, with six months stayed on the condition that Meyer comply with her Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program contract.

Holdings

  1. Meyer's continued practice of law during her suspension violated Prof.Cond.R. 1.16(a)(1), 5.5(a), 8.4(c), and 8.4(h).
  2. Meyer violated Prof.Cond.R. 8.1(a), 8.1(b), and 8.4(h) by making false and misleading statements and failing to disclose a material fact in response to a disciplinary investigation.
  3. Meyer's failure to update the Supreme Court's Office of Attorney Services with the professional name she had used since 2004 violated Gov.Bar R. VI(1)(D) and Prof.Cond.R. 8.4(h).
  4. An eighteen-month suspension from the practice of law, with six months stayed on the condition that Meyer comply with her Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program contract, was appropriate.

Questions Presented

  1. Whether Meyer's stipulated conduct violated the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct.
  2. What disciplinary sanction was appropriate for practicing law while suspended, making false and misleading statements in a disciplinary matter, and failing to update attorney-registration information.

Disposition

other

Cases Cited (8)

  • In re Gee, 127 Ohio St. 3d 1467, 2010-Ohio-6302, 938 N.E.2d 368(followed)
  • In re Gee, 128 Ohio St. 3d 1521, 2011-Ohio-2877, 948 N.E.2d 963(followed)
  • Disciplinary Counsel v. Gee, 132 Ohio St. 3d 1229, 2012-Ohio-2754, 971 N.E.2d 952(followed)
  • Kentucky Bar Assn. v. Gee, 363 S.W.3d 343 (Ky. 2012)(followed)
  • Disciplinary Counsel v. Higgins, 117 Ohio St. 3d 473, 2008-Ohio-1509, 884 N.E.2d 1070(analogized)
  • Disciplinary Counsel v. MacLean, 106 Ohio St. 3d 50, 2005-Ohio-3672, 831 N.E.2d 423(analogized)
  • Toledo Bar Assn. v. Crandall, 98 Ohio St. 3d 444, 2003-Ohio-1637, 786 N.E.2d 872(analogized)
  • Disciplinary Counsel v. Fowerbaugh, 74 Ohio St. 3d 187, 191, 658 N.E.2d 237 (1995)(followed)

Cited In (0)

No citing cases on record yet.

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