Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Brown

Citation: 1999-Ohio-316

Docket Number: 19991315

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 1999-10-14T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Brown, 87 Ohio St.3d 1217, 1999-Ohio-316.] 
 
 
 
 
 
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. BROWN. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Brown (1999), 87 Ohio St.3d 1217.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Reciprocal discipline — Suspension until 
respondent is reinstated in Arizona — Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 99-1315 — Submitted and decided October 14, 1999.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF ARIZONA, NO. SB-99-0007-D, 
COMM. NO. 94-0033. 
 
This cause is pending before the Supreme Court of Ohio in accordance with 
the reciprocal discipline provisions of Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F). 
 
On July 14, 1999, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with this court a 
certified copy of an order of the Supreme Court of Arizona entered March 1, 1999, 
in In the Matter of Robert L. Brown, Supreme Court No. SB-99-0007-D, Comm. 
No. 94-0033, disbarring respondent, Robert Lawson Brown.  On July 22, 1999, 
this court ordered respondent to show cause why identical or comparable discipline 
should not be imposed in this state.  Respondent filed no response to the show 
cause order.  This cause was considered by the court and on consideration thereof, 
 
IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED by this court that pursuant to Gov.Bar 
R. V(11)(F)(4), respondent, Robert Lawson Brown, Attorney Registration No. 
0026416, last known address in Mesa, Arizona, be suspended from the practice of 
law in Ohio until such time as he is reinstated to the practice of law in the state of 
Arizona. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent, Robert Lawson Brown, 
immediately cease and desist from the practice of law in any form and is hereby 
forbidden to appear on behalf of another before any court, judge, commission, 
board, administrative agency, or other public authority. 
 
 
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IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent is hereby forbidden to counsel 
or advise or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner perform such 
services. 
 
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. 
 
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 that, pursuant to Gov.Bar R. X(3)(G), 
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(3)(G), respondent shall 
complete one credit hour of instruction related to professional conduct required by 
Gov.Bar R. X(3)(A)(1), for each six months, or portion of six months, of the 
suspension. 
 
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 respondent shall not be reinstated to the 
practice of law in Ohio until (1) respondent complies with the requirements for 
 
 
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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 files evidence with the Clerk of 
this court and with Disciplinary Counsel demonstrating his reinstatement to the 
practice of law in Arizona; (4) respondent complies with this and all other orders 
issued by this court; and (5) this court orders respondent reinstated. 
 
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 suspension 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 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; 
 
 
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5. 
Send all 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 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. 
 
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.