Disciplinary Counsel v. Land

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio indefinitely suspended Suzanne Prieur Land from practicing law for misconduct involving fabricated estate-planning documents, fraudulent submissions to the IRS, and a federal felony conviction for obstructing the administration of the Internal Revenue Service. The court credited her with time served under an interim felony suspension and conditioned reinstatement on completion of federal probation and specified treatment and Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program requirements.

Holdings

1. Land violated Prof.Cond.R. 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and 8.4(h) by fabricating an email and using it in connection with malpractice litigation.
2. Land violated Prof.Cond.R. 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and 8.4(h).
3. Land violated Prof.Cond.R. 4.1(a), 8.4(c), 8.4(d), and 8.4(h).
4. Land violated Prof.Cond.R. 8.4(b) and 8.4(h) by being convicted of a felony for corruptly endeavoring to obstruct and impede the due administration of the Internal Revenue Service.
5. Land was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio. She could not petition for reinstatement until completing federal probation and, upon petitioning, had to provide specified proof concerning her OLAP contract and mental-health treatment.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Land violated the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct by creating and submitting fraudulent estate-planning and tax documents.
2. Whether Land violated the Rules of Professional Conduct by making false statements and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice and adversely reflecting on her fitness to practice law.
3. What sanction was appropriate for Land's misconduct and felony conviction.

Disposition

other