Case Title: In re Application of Alban

Citation: 2007-Ohio-6043

Docket Number: 20071420

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2007-11-15T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as In re Application of Alban, 116 Ohio St.3d 190, 2007-Ohio-6043.] 
 
 
 
IN RE APPLICATION OF ALBAN. 
[Cite as In re Application of Alban, 116 Ohio St.3d 190, 2007-Ohio-6043.] 
 Attorneys – Character and fitness – History of substance abuse weighs against 
approval of application for admission to bar – Applicant may reapply to 
take later bar examination. 
(No. 2007-1420 – Submitted October 9, 2007 – Decided November 15, 2007.) 
ON REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness of the 
Supreme Court, No. 355. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam. 
{¶ 1} Applicant, John Robert Alban of Leroy Township in Lake County, 
Ohio, graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in May 2006.  Alban 
filed an application to take the February 2007 bar examination, updating his 
candidacy as required by Gov.Bar R. I(3). 
{¶ 2} The Joint Admissions Committee of the Cuyahoga County and 
Cleveland Bar Associations conducted a character-and-fitness interview and 
recommended that Alban be approved for admission with the qualification that he 
enter into a contract with the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (“OLAP”) and 
provide evidence of ongoing compliance. 
{¶ 3} As a result of the joint admissions committee recommendation, 
Alban appealed to the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness.  See 
Gov.Bar R. I(12).  The board appointed a panel to review Alban’s qualifications.  
The panel heard the cause on June 5, 2007, and unanimously recommended that 
Alban not be approved to take the July 2007 bar examination but that he be 
allowed to reapply to take the February 2008 bar examination, which would give 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
him additional time to demonstrate continued compliance with his OLAP 
contract.  The board adopted the panel’s report. 
The Board’s Findings 
{¶ 4} In 1986, police stopped Alban in Tampa, Florida for a minor traffic 
violation and discovered that Alban had a small amount of marijuana and a roach 
clip.  Alban was charged with possession of marijuana and was sentenced to 
probation, which he successfully completed. 
{¶ 5} In June 2003, Cleveland police charged Alban with possession of 
crack cocaine.  Alban was allowed to plead guilty to attempted possession, a first-
degree misdemeanor, subject to participation in the Cleveland Drug Court’s 
program.  Alban successfully completed the 20-week intensive outpatient 
program and also complied with a subsequent 32-week random drug-testing 
program.  As a result, Alban’s misdemeanor plea was set aside, the charge was 
dismissed, his probation was terminated, and his record was sealed. 
{¶ 6} On June 2, 2005, police stopped Alban in Middlefield, Ohio on 
suspicion of drunk driving.  He tested over the legal limit and was charged with 
DUI.  Alban pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of failure to control. 
{¶ 7} Both the 2003 drug offense and the 2005 DUI charge occurred 
while Alban was in law school.  After being advised that he could not sit for the 
February 2007 bar examination, Alban contacted OLAP.  At the request of 
OLAP, Alban had an alcohol/drug assessment performed at Laurelwood Hospital, 
which concluded that he was not chemically dependent.  Alban, nevertheless, 
entered into a contract with OLAP on January 30, 2007. 
{¶ 8} During the panel hearing, Alban testified that he is committed to 
abstaining from alcohol and drug use.  He presented a letter from OLAP attesting 
that he is in compliance with the terms of his contract.  He also insisted that he is 
not an addict, but admitted that he had abused alcohol and drugs in the past. 
January Term, 2007 
3 
{¶ 9} In addition to the drug and alcohol issues, Alban’s military history 
and employment history were discussed at the hearing.  Alban joined the United 
States Navy in May 1988, committing to a four-year term.  After serving two and 
a half years, Alban decided to terminate his military commitment and went absent 
without leave.  He later received a dishonorable discharge due to his unauthorized 
absence. 
{¶ 10} A former employer also submitted a negative reference letter in 
connection with Alban’s character-and-fitness investigation.  The employer 
indicated that Alban either stole clients from the firm or performed unauthorized 
work while working for the employer.  Alban denied the allegations. 
{¶ 11} The board concluded that the issues related to Alban’s military 
service and employment history were not significant impediments to admission.  
The board found that, while the dishonorable discharge reflected poorly on Alban, 
it had occurred more than 15 years ago, and he showed genuine remorse about 
this incident at the hearing and now possesses better character and judgment.  
With respect to the negative employment reference, there was no evidence that 
Alban had engaged in any wrongdoing. 
{¶ 12} However, the board found that Alban’s history of alcohol and drug 
abuse, and related criminal offenses, raised significant concerns.  The board found 
this history particularly alarming because Alban had been arrested on two 
separate occasions – once for possession of crack cocaine and once for DUI – 
while enrolled in law school.  While the board approved of Alban’s decision to 
enter into a contract with OLAP, it noted that he had only recently contracted with 
OLAP.  The board also pointed out that Alban had successfully completed the 
Cleveland Drug Court’s program only to relapse a year later. 
Review 
{¶ 13} Alban 
does 
not 
challenge 
the 
board’s 
findings 
and 
recommendation.  We have reviewed the board’s record and its report, and we 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
4 
agree that Alban does not yet possess the requisite character, fitness, and moral 
qualifications under Gov.Bar R. I(11) to be admitted to the bar.  While we find 
that Alban’s efforts in overcoming issues of drug and alcohol abuse are 
commendable, we share the board’s belief that Alban’s relapse following 
treatment, his drug- and alcohol-related offenses, and the relative recentness of his 
abstinence raise concerns about his fitness to practice law.  Under similar 
circumstances, we have temporarily disapproved applicants for the bar 
examination in order to give them time to show that they have overcome 
substance-abuse problems and are managing their conditions with sufficient 
treatment.  See In re Application of Olterman, 106 Ohio St.3d 383, 2005-Ohio-
5324, 835 N.E.2d 370, and In re Application of Ralls, 109 Ohio St.3d 487, 2006-
Ohio-2996, 849 N.E.2d 36.  Therefore, we disapprove Alban for admission at this 
time but order that he may reapply for the February 2008 bar examination to 
provide him with additional time to demonstrate continued compliance with his 
OLAP contract.1 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, 
C.J., 
and 
PFEIFER, 
LUNDBERG 
STRATTON, 
O’CONNOR, 
LANZINGER, and CUPP, JJ., concur. 
 
O’DONNELL, J., dissents and would allow respondent to reapply as of 
February 2009. 
__________________ 
 
Rapoport, Spitz, Friedland & Courtney and Michael M. Courtney, for 
Cuyahoga County and Cleveland Bar Associations. 
 
Christensen, Christensen, Donchatz, Kettlewell & Owens, L.L.P., and 
Kenneth R. Donchatz, for applicant. 
__________________ 
                                                 
1.  We also deny Alban’s motion to seal the record in this matter.