Summary
The Supreme Court of Ohio imposed an interim suspension from the practice of law on Robert Edward Fitz after receiving a certified judgment entry of his felony conviction. The court also referred the matter for disciplinary investigation and set requirements concerning cessation of practice, client notification, continuing legal education, reinstatement, and reimbursement obligations.
Topics
Practice areas
Questions Presented
- Whether the filing of a certified judgment entry of an attorney's felony conviction required the Supreme Court of Ohio to impose an interim suspension under Gov.Bar R. V(18)(A)(4).
- What conditions and compliance obligations should govern the respondent's interim suspension.
Holdings
- Upon the filing of a certified copy of a judgment entry of a felony conviction against an Ohio attorney, the court ordered the attorney suspended from the practice of law for an interim period and referred the matter to disciplinary counsel for investigation and commencement of disciplinary proceedings.
- The suspended attorney must cease practicing law, comply with notice, client-property, fee, trust-account, affidavit, continuing-legal-education, client-protection-fund reimbursement, and reinstatement requirements specified in the order.
Key quotations
“respondent, Robert Edward Fitz, Attorney Registration No. 0024277, last known business address in Westlake, 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
Robert Edward Fitz 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 reflecting Fitz's felony conviction. Based on that certified conviction, the court imposed an interim suspension and directed that disciplinary proceedings commence.
Procedural history
On December 18, 2019, the director of the Board of Professional Conduct filed the certified felony-conviction entry. The Supreme Court of Ohio ordered Fitz's interim suspension from the practice of law and referred the matter to disciplinary counsel for investigation and commencement of disciplinary proceedings.