Case Title: In re Resignation of Philomena

Citation: 1999-Ohio-76

Docket Number: 19991819

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 1999-11-18T00:00:00Z

Document:
IN RE RESIGNATION OF PHILOMENA. 
[Cite as In re Resignation of Philomena (1999), 87 Ohio St.3d 1233.] 
Attorneys at law — Resignation with disciplinary action pending — Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(G)(3). 
(No. 99-1819 — Submitted November 3, 1999 — Decided November 18, 1999.) 
ON AFFIDAVIT OF RESIGNATION AND AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE PURSUANT TO 
GOV.BAR R. V(11)(G)(1). 
 
On April 27, 1974, respondent, James Anthony Philomena, Attorney Registration 
No. 0009039, last known business address in Canfield, Ohio, was admitted to the practice 
of law in the state of Ohio.  On October 7, 1999, James Anthony Philomena submitted an 
Affidavit of Resignation and Authorization and Release pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(G)(1).  The affidavit and authorization and release were referred to Disciplinary 
Counsel pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(11)(G)(2).  On October 25, 1999, Disciplinary 
Counsel filed under seal its report with this court in accordance with Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(G)(2).  Upon consideration thereof, 
 
IT IS ORDERED by the court that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(11)(G)(3), James 
Anthony Philomena’s affidavit of resignation as an attorney and counselor at law be 
accepted and that the resignation be a resignation with disciplinary action pending.  It is 
further ordered that his Certificate of Admission to the Bar of Ohio be, and the same 
hereby is, ordered cancelled and that the name of James Anthony Philomena be stricken 
from the roll of attorneys of this court. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that from and after this date all 
rights and privileges extended to James Anthony Philomena to practice law in the state of 
Ohio be withdrawn; that henceforth James Anthony Philomena shall cease to hold 
himself forth as an attorney authorized to appear in the courts of this state; that he shall 
not attempt, either directly or indirectly, to render services as an attorney or counselor at 
law to or for any individuals, corporation, or society, or in any way perform or seek to 
 
2
perform services for anyone, no matter how constituted, that must, by law, be executed 
by a duly appointed and qualified attorney within the state of Ohio. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that James Anthony Philomena desist and refrain 
from the practice of law in any form, either as principal or agent or clerk or employee of 
another, and hereby is forbidden to appear in the state of Ohio as an attorney and 
counselor at law before any court, judge, board, commission, or other public authority, 
and hereby is forbidden to give another an opinion as to the law or its application or 
advise with relation thereto. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent surrender his certificate of admission 
to practice to the Clerk of this court on or before thirty days from the date of this order, 
and that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys maintained by this court. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, sua sponte, by the court, that within ninety days of 
the date of this order, respondent shall reimburse any amounts that have been awarded 
against the respondent by the Clients’ Security Fund pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F).  It 
is further ordered, sua sponte, by the court that if, after the date of this order, the Clients’ 
Security Fund awards any amount against the respondent pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
VIII(7)(F), the respondent shall reimburse that amount to the Clients’ Security Fund within 
ninety days of the notice of such award. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before thirty days from the date of this 
order, respondent shall: 
 
1. 
Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and any co-counsel of 
his resignation and his 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 legal 
service elsewhere, calling attention to any urgency in seeking the substitution of another 
attorney in his place; 
 
2. 
Regardless of any fees or expenses due respondent, deliver to all clients being 
represented in pending matters any papers or other property pertaining to the client, or 
 
3
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; 
 
3. 
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; 
 
4. 
Notify opposing counsel in pending litigation or, in the absence of counsel, the 
adverse parties of his 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; 
 
5. 
Send all such notices required by this order by certified mail with a return 
address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent; 
 
6. 
File with the Clerk of this court and the Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme 
Court an affidavit showing compliance with this order, showing proof of service of notices 
required herein, and setting forth the address where the affiant may receive 
communications; and 
 
7. 
Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by respondent pursuant 
to this order. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before thirty days from the date of this 
order, respondent surrender his attorney registration card for the 1999/2001 biennium. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that until such time as he fully complies with this 
order, respondent shall keep the Clerk and the Disciplinary Counsel advised of any change 
of address where respondent may receive communications. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, sua sponte, that all documents filed with this court in 
this case shall meet the filing requirements set forth in the Rules of Practice of the 
Supreme Court of Ohio, including requirements as to form, number, and timeliness of 
filings. 
 
4
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, sua sponte, that service shall be deemed made on 
respondent by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, by certified mail to the 
most recent address respondent has given to the Attorney Registration Office. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk of this court issue certified copies of 
this order as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(8)(D)(1), that publication be made as provided 
for in Gov.Bar R. V(8)(D)(2), and that respondent bear the costs of publication. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur.