Summary
The Supreme Court of Ohio imposed an interim suspension from the practice of law on James I. Corcoran after receiving a certified entry of his felony conviction. The order referred the matter for disciplinary investigation and established requirements concerning cessation of legal practice, continuing legal education, client notification, reimbursement, and potential reinstatement.
Topics
Practice areas
Questions Presented
- Whether, upon the filing of a certified entry of an attorney's felony conviction, the Supreme Court of Ohio should impose an interim suspension under Gov.Bar R. V(18).
- What practice restrictions, compliance obligations, and reinstatement conditions should accompany the interim suspension.
Holdings
- Upon the filing of a certified copy of an attorney's felony-conviction judgment entry, the Supreme Court of Ohio may impose an interim suspension from the practice of law pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(18)(A)(4).
- An attorney subject to the interim suspension must immediately cease practicing law, may not perform legal services or appear for others, must comply with client-notification and property-transfer requirements, and may not be reinstated until the governing rules, court orders, and reinstatement requirements are satisfied and the court orders reinstatement.
Key quotations
“respondent, James I. Corcoran, Attorney Registration No. 0032204, last known business address in Cleveland, 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
James I. Corcoran was an attorney licensed to practice law in Ohio. The director of the Board of Professional Conduct filed with the Supreme Court of Ohio a certified copy of a judgment entry showing that Corcoran had been convicted of a felony. Based on that certified conviction, the court imposed an interim suspension and related restrictions pending disciplinary proceedings.
Procedural history
On June 22, 2022, the director of the Board of Professional Conduct filed a certified copy of a judgment entry reflecting James I. Corcoran's felony conviction. The Supreme Court acted pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(18), entered an interim suspension effective immediately, and referred the matter to disciplinary counsel for investigation and commencement of disciplinary proceedings.
Remand instructions
None. The matter was referred to disciplinary counsel for investigation and commencement of disciplinary proceedings.