Cleveland Metro. Bar Assn. v. Downing

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio indefinitely suspended Michael John Downing from the practice of law after considering a certification of default and receiving no objections to converting his interim default suspension. The order imposes restrictions on legal practice, continuing-education and client-protection reimbursement obligations, reinstatement conditions, and notice and compliance requirements.

Holdings

1. Pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(14)(E)(1), respondent must be indefinitely suspended from the practice of law after the certification of default and the absence of objections to conversion of the interim suspension.
2. During the indefinite suspension, respondent must cease practicing law, comply with specified client-protection, continuing-legal-education, reimbursement, notice, recordkeeping, and address-reporting obligations, and may not be reinstated unless the stated reinstatement requirements are satisfied and the court orders reinstatement.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the court should convert respondent's interim default suspension into an indefinite suspension after the Board of Professional Conduct certified a default and no objections were filed.
2. What conditions and obligations should govern respondent during the indefinite suspension and any future reinstatement.

Disposition

other