Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Giba

Citation: 2006-Ohio-553

Docket Number: 20052250

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2006-01-27T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Giba, 108 Ohio St.3d 1206, 2006-Ohio-553.] 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. GIBA. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Giba, 108 Ohio St.3d 1206, 2006-Ohio-553.] 
Attorneys at law — Reciprocal discipline from the Supreme Court of 
Pennsylvania  — Two year suspension — Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2005-2250 – Submitted January 20, 2006 – Decided January 27, 2006.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,  
No. 1021 — Disciplinary Docket, No. 3. 
__________________ 
{¶ 1} This cause is pending before the Supreme Court of Ohio in 
accordance with the reciprocal discipline provisions of Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F). 
{¶ 2} On November 30, 2005, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with 
this court a certified copy of an order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 
entered June 16, 2005, in Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Paul Robert Giba, in 
Case No. 1021, Disciplinary Docket, No. 3, suspending respondent for a period of 
two years.  On December 7, 2005, 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, 
{¶ 3} IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED by this court that, pursuant to 
Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4), respondent, Paul Robert Giba, Attorney Registration No. 
0005732, last known business address in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, be suspended 
for a period of two years, and respondent will not be reinstated to the practice of 
law in Ohio until such time as respondent is reinstated to the practice of law in the 
state of Pennsylvania. 
{¶ 4} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent immediately cease 
and desist from the practice of law in any form and is hereby forbidden to appear 
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on behalf of another before any court, judge, commission, board, administrative 
agency or other public authority. 
{¶ 5} 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. 
{¶ 6} 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. 
{¶ 7} 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. 
{¶ 8} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, sua sponte, by the court that, within 
90 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 90 days of the notice of such 
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 files evidence with 
January Term, 2006 
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the Clerk of this court and with Disciplinary Counsel demonstrating his 
reinstatement to the practice of law in Pennsylvania; (4) respondent complies with 
this and all other orders issued by this court; and (5) this court orders respondent 
reinstated. 
{¶ 10} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, on or before 30 days from the 
date of this order, respondent shall: 
{¶ 11} 1. 
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 legal service elsewhere, calling attention to 
any urgency in seeking the substitution of another attorney in his place; 
{¶ 12} 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; 
{¶ 13} 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; 
{¶ 14} 4. 
Notify opposing counsel in pending litigation or, in the 
absence of counsel, the adverse parties, 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; 
{¶ 15} 5. 
Send all notices required by this order by certified mail 
with a return address where communications may thereafter be directed to 
respondent; 
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{¶ 16} 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 
{¶ 17} 7. 
Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶ 18} 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, on or before 30 days from the 
date of this order, respondent surrender the attorney registration card for the 
2005/2007 biennium. 
{¶ 19} 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, until such time as respondent 
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. 
{¶ 20} 
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. 
{¶ 21} 
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 Section. 
{¶ 22} 
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., RESNICK, PFEIFER, LUNDBERG STRATTON, O’CONNOR, 
O’DONNELL and LANZINGER, JJ., concur. 
______________________