In re Plesich

2018-Ohio-2306 (Ohio 2018) · Supreme Court of Ohio · June 15, 2018 · No. 2018-0821

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio imposed an interim suspension on attorney Gregory Thomas Plesich following receipt of a certified judgment entry of his felony conviction. The order requires Plesich to cease practicing law, comply with client-notification and related obligations, complete continuing legal education, and satisfy conditions for any future reinstatement.

Court
Supreme Court of Ohio
Writing for the Court
Maureen O'Connor, Chief Justice; Terrence O'Donnell, Justice; Pat DeWine, Justice; Judith L. French, Justice; William M. O'Neill, Justice; Patrick F. Fischer, Justice; Mary DeGenaro, Justice
Jurisdiction
Ohio
Decision date
June 15, 2018
Docket number
2018-0821
Procedural posture
The director of the Board of Professional Conduct filed a certified copy of an attorney's felony-conviction judgment entry with the Supreme Court of Ohio under Gov.Bar R. V(18).
Precedential value
Published opinion
Disposition
other

Topics

administrative law

Practice areas

legal ethicsattorney disciplineprofessional responsibility

Questions Presented

  1. Whether the Supreme Court of Ohio should impose an interim suspension upon receiving a certified entry of the respondent attorney's felony conviction.
  2. What ancillary restrictions and compliance obligations should accompany the interim suspension.

Holdings

  1. Upon receipt of a certified judgment entry of an attorney's felony conviction, the Supreme Court of Ohio ordered the attorney suspended from the practice of law for an interim period effective immediately.
  2. The suspended attorney must immediately cease practicing law and is subject to the specified restrictions on appearing before tribunals, performing legal services, handling client matters and funds, satisfying continuing-education requirements, reimbursing qualifying Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection awards, notifying clients and opposing parties, filing a compliance affidavit, and satisfying reinstatement requirements.

Key quotations

Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(18)(A)(4), it is ordered and decreed that Gregory Thomas Plesich, Attorney Registration No. 0007642, last known business address in Akron, Ohio, is suspended from the practice of law for an interim period, effective as of the date of this entry. (¶ 2)
It is further ordered that this matter is referred to disciplinary counsel for investigation and the commencement of disciplinary proceedings. (¶ 3)

Factual background

Gregory Thomas Plesich was an attorney licensed to practice law in Ohio. The director of the Board of Professional Conduct filed with the Supreme Court a certified copy of a judgment entry showing that Plesich had been convicted of a felony. The court acted on that certified conviction by immediately suspending Plesich from practicing law and referring the matter for disciplinary proceedings.

Procedural history

On June 12, 2018, the director of the Board of Professional Conduct submitted a certified felony-conviction entry concerning Gregory Thomas Plesich, an Ohio attorney. The Supreme Court entered an interim suspension effective immediately, referred the matter to disciplinary counsel for investigation and disciplinary proceedings, and imposed related practice, notice, continuing-education, reimbursement, and reinstatement requirements.

Court Document

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