Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Witt

Citation: 2005-Ohio-4981

Docket Number: 20051219

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2005-09-06T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Witt, 106 Ohio St.3d 1210, 2005-Ohio-4981.] 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. WITT. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Witt, 106 Ohio St.3d 1210, 2005-Ohio-4981.] 
Attorneys at law – Reciprocal discipline from the Superior Court of Connecticut, 
Judicial District of Hartford – Interim suspension – Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2005-1219 — Submitted August 30, 2005 — Decided September 6, 2005.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Superior Court of Connecticut, Judicial 
District of Hartford, Case No. CVCSFP 3775. 
__________________ 
{¶ 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 July 6, 2005, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with this court 
a certified copy of an order of the Superior Court of Connecticut, Judicial District 
of Hartford, entered March 23, 2005, in Statewide Grievance Committee v. Otto 
P. Witt, in Case No. CVCSFP 3775, suspending respondent until payment of the 
Client Security Fund fee is made.  On July 15, 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, Otto P. Witt, Attorney Registration No. 0056574, last 
known address in Shaker Heights, Ohio, be suspended, 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 Connecticut. 
{¶ 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 on behalf 
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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 the Clerk of 
this court and with Disciplinary Counsel demonstrating his reinstatement to the 
January Term, 2005 
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practice of law in Connecticut; (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; 
{¶ 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 
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{¶ 17} 7. 
Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶ 18} 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. 
{¶ 19} 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. 
{¶ 20} 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. 
{¶ 21} 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. 
______________________