Columbus Bar Assn. v. Armengau

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio entered an immediate interim remedial suspension against attorney Javier Horacio Armengau on the motion of the Columbus Bar Association. The order prohibited Armengau from practicing law, required steps to protect clients and reimburse Clients’ Security Fund awards, and imposed conditions for reinstatement.

Holdings

1. The court imposed an immediate interim remedial suspension against Armengau, effective immediately and continuing pending final disposition of disciplinary proceedings predicated on the conduct alleged to threaten serious harm to the public.
2. The court ordered Armengau to cease practicing law, prohibited him from performing legal services and handling client matters except as permitted by the governing rules, and required inventory, notice, file-transfer, refund, accounting, continuing-education, reinstatement, and Clients' Security Fund obligations.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court should impose an immediate interim remedial suspension under Gov.Bar R. V(5a) based on alleged professional misconduct posing a substantial threat of serious harm to the public.
2. What protective and administrative measures should accompany the interim suspension.

Disposition

other