Summary
The Supreme Court of Ohio entered an interim default suspension against Wayne Lewis Kerek after he failed to answer a formal disciplinary complaint. The order immediately prohibited him from practicing law and imposed continuing legal education, client-notification, property-return, reimbursement, and reinstatement requirements.
Topics
Practice areas
Questions Presented
- Whether the Supreme Court of Ohio should enter an interim default suspension after the respondent failed to answer a formal disciplinary complaint.
Holdings
- Upon the board's certification of default and the respondent's failure to respond, the Supreme Court of Ohio entered an immediate interim default suspension under Gov.Bar R. V(6a)(B)(1).
Key quotations
“Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(6a)(B)(1), it is ordered and decreed that an interim default suspension is immediately entered against Wayne Lewis Kerek” (¶ 2)
“It is further ordered that respondent shall not be reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until (1) respondent complies with the requirements for reinstatement set forth in the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, (2) respondent complies with this and all other orders issued by this court, (3) respondent complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, and (4) this court orders respondent reinstated.” (¶ 8)
Factual background
A formal disciplinary complaint was pending against respondent Wayne Lewis Kerek. He failed to file an answer and did not respond to the board's certification of default. The board consequently certified the default to the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Procedural history
The Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline filed a certification of default with the Supreme Court of Ohio on September 5, 2013, alleging that Wayne Lewis Kerek had failed to answer a formal complaint pending before the board. Kerek did not respond. The Supreme Court entered an interim default suspension and imposed related practice, notice, continuing-education, reimbursement, and reinstatement requirements.