Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Freeman

Citation: 2015-Ohio-2777

Docket Number: 

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2015-07-13T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Freeman, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2015-Ohio-2777.] 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL V. FREEMAN. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Freeman, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 
2015-Ohio-2777.] 
(No. 2014-1755—Submitted July 7, 2015—Decided July 13, 2015.) 
ON ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE 
____________________ 
{¶ 1} The Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 
Discipline1 filed a certification of default in the office of the clerk of 
this court on October 9, 2014.  On November 26, 2014, this court 
imposed an interim default judgment suspension upon respondent, 
Henry Roosevelt Freeman, pursuant to former Gov.Bar R. 
V(6a)(B)(1).  Respondent was ordered to show cause why the interim 
default judgment suspension should not be converted into an 
indefinite suspension.  Respondent filed no objections, and this cause 
was considered by the court. 
{¶ 2} On consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by 
this court that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(14)(E)(1), respondent, 
                                                 
1 Effective January 1, 2015, the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline has been 
renamed the Board of Professional Conduct.  See Gov.Bar R. V(1)(A), 140 Ohio St.3d CII. 
 
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Henry Roosevelt Freeman, Attorney Registration No. 0022713, last 
known address in Tallmadge, Ohio, is indefinitely suspended from 
the practice of law. 
{¶ 3} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease 
and desist from the practice of law in any form and that respondent is 
hereby forbidden to appear on behalf of another before any court, 
judge, commission, board, administrative agency, or other public 
authority. 
{¶ 4} It is further ordered that respondent is hereby forbidden 
to counsel, advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any 
manner perform legal services for others. 
{¶ 5} It is further ordered that respondent is hereby divested of 
each, any, and all of the rights, privileges, and prerogatives 
customarily accorded to a member in good standing of the legal 
profession of Ohio. 
{¶ 6} It is further ordered that before entering into an 
employment, contractual, or consulting relationship with any attorney 
or law firm, respondent shall verify that the attorney or law firm has 
 
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complied with the registration requirements of Gov.Bar R. V(23)(C).  
If employed pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(23), respondent shall refrain 
from direct client contact except as provided in Gov.Bar R. 
V(23)(A)(1) and from receiving, disbursing, or otherwise handling 
any client trust funds or property. 
{¶ 7} It is further ordered that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. X(13), 
respondent shall complete one credit hour of continuing legal 
education for each month, or portion of a month, of the suspension.  
As part of the total credit hours of continuing legal education 
required by Gov.Bar R. X(13), respondent shall complete one credit 
hour of instruction related to professional conduct required by 
Gov.Bar R. X(3)(B) for each six months, or portion of six months, of 
the suspension. 
{¶ 8} It is further ordered by the court that within 90 days of 
the date of this order, respondent shall reimburse any amounts that 
have been awarded against respondent by the Lawyers’ Fund for 
Client Protection pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F).  It is further 
ordered by the court that if after the date of this order, the Lawyers’ 
 
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Fund for Client Protection awards any amount against respondent 
pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F), respondent shall reimburse that 
amount to the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection within 90 days of 
the notice of that award. 
{¶ 9} It is further ordered that respondent shall not be 
reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until (1) respondent complies 
with the requirements for reinstatement set forth in the Supreme 
Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, (2) respondent 
complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the 
Bar of Ohio, (3) respondent complies with this and all other orders of 
the court, and (4) this court orders respondent reinstated.  
{¶ 10} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the 
date of this order, respondent shall do the following:  
{¶ 11} Notify all clients being represented in pending matters 
and any co-counsel of respondent's suspension and consequent 
disqualification to act as an attorney after the effective date of this 
order and, in the absence of co-counsel, also notify the clients to seek 
 
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legal service elsewhere, calling attention to any urgency in seeking 
the substitution of another attorney in respondent's place;  
{¶ 12} Regardless of any fees or expenses due, deliver to all 
clients being represented in pending matters any papers or other 
property pertaining to the client or notify the clients or co-counsel, if 
any, of a suitable time and place where the papers or other property 
may be obtained, calling attention to any urgency for obtaining such 
papers or other property;  
{¶ 13} Refund any part of any fees or expenses paid in advance 
that are unearned or not paid and account for any trust money or 
property in the possession or control of respondent;  
{¶ 14} Notify opposing counsel or, in the absence of counsel, 
the 
adverse 
parties 
in 
pending 
litigation 
of 
respondent's 
disqualification to act as an attorney after the effective date of this 
order and file a notice of disqualification of respondent with the court 
or agency before which the litigation is pending for inclusion in the 
respective file or files;  
 
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{¶ 15} Send all notices required by this order by certified mail 
with a return address where communications may thereafter be 
directed to respondent;  
{¶ 16} File with the clerk of this court and disciplinary counsel 
of the Supreme Court an affidavit showing compliance with this 
order, showing proof of service of the notices required herein, and 
setting forth the address where the respondent may receive 
communications; and 
{¶ 17} Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken 
by respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶ 18} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk 
and disciplinary counsel advised of any change of address where 
respondent may receive communications. 
{¶ 19} It is further ordered that service shall be deemed made on 
respondent by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, to 
respondent’s last known address.    
{¶ 20} It is further ordered that the clerk of this court issue 
certified copies of this order as provided for in Gov.Bar R. 
 
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V(17)(D)(1) and that publication be made as provided for in Gov.Bar 
R. V(17)(D)(2). 
O’CONNOR, C.J., and PFEIFER, O’DONNELL, LANZINGER, 
KENNEDY, FRENCH, and O’NEILL, JJ., concur. 
________________________