Case Title: Toledo Bar Assn. v. Lowden

Citation: 2006-Ohio-902

Docket Number: 

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2006-02-06T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Toledo Bar Assn. v. Lowden, 108 Ohio St.3d 1211, 2006-Ohio-902.] 
 
 
TOLEDO BAR ASSN. v. LOWDEN. 
[Cite as Toledo Bar Assn. v. Lowden, 108 Ohio St.3d 1211, 2006-Ohio-902.] 
(No. 2004-1799 — Submitted January 25, 2006 — Decided February 6, 2006.) 
ON MOTION TO LIFT SUSPENSION. 
__________________ 
{¶ 1} On May 18, 2005, this court suspended respondent, Jeffrey T. 
Lowden, for a period of two years, stayed on the conditions that he: 1) continue 
his mental-health treatment; 2) provide quarterly reports to relator about his 
progress throughout the stayed suspension; and 3) make restitution in the Miller 
matter within 90 days of the order.  The order further stated that if respondent 
failed to comply with any of the conditions, the stay would be lifted and 
respondent would serve the entire two-year suspension.  Respondent was further 
ordered to pay board costs in the amount of $2,026.45 and publication costs in the 
amount of $300.05.  These costs and all accrued interest remain unpaid.  On 
December 1, 2005, relator, Toledo Bar Association, filed a motion for order to 
show cause and to lift stay of respondent’s two-year suspension for respondent’s 
failure to comply with the conditions set forth in the May 18, 2005 order.  On 
December 19, 2005, the court granted the motion to the extent that respondent 
was to show cause, in writing, within 20 days of the order.  Respondent did not 
respond.  Upon consideration thereof, 
{¶ 2} IT IS ORDERED that the previously imposed stay is revoked and 
respondent, Jeffrey T. Lowden, Attorney Registration No. 0071548, last known 
business address in Toledo, Ohio, is suspended for a period of two years.  It is 
further ordered that respondent continue his mental-health treatment and provide 
quarterly reports to relator about his progress during the suspension.  Respondent 
is ordered to file evidence of his restitution in the Miller matter on or before 30 
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days from the date of this order.  Upon any application that respondent files for 
his reinstatement to the practice of law in Ohio, he is required, in addition to the 
requirements of Gov.Bar R. V(10), to submit evidence, in the form of a mental-
health evaluation, showing that he is capable of returning to the competent and 
ethical practice of law. 
{¶ 3} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent 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. 
{¶ 4} 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. 
{¶ 5} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the 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. 
{¶ 6} 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. 
{¶ 7} 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 
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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. 
{¶ 8} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall not be 
reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until (1) respondent files with this court 
evidence, in the form of a mental-health evaluation, showing that he is capable of 
returning to the competent and ethical practice of law; (2) respondent complies 
with the requirements for reinstatement set forth in the Supreme Court Rules for 
the Government of the Bar of Ohio; (3) respondent complies with the Supreme 
Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio; (4) respondent complies with 
this and all other orders of the court; and (5) this court orders respondent 
reinstated. 
{¶ 9} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, on or before 30 days from the 
date of this order, respondent shall:  
{¶ 10} 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 respondent's place;  
{¶ 11} 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;  
{¶ 12} 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;  
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{¶ 13} 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;  
{¶ 14} 5. 
Send all notices required by this order by certified mail 
with a return address where communications may thereafter be directed to 
respondent;  
{¶ 15} 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 respondent may receive communications; and 
{¶ 16} 7. 
Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶ 17} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall keep the Clerk, 
the Toledo Bar Association, and the Disciplinary Counsel advised of any change 
of address where respondent may receive communications. 
{¶ 18} 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. 
{¶ 19} 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. 
{¶ 20} 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 
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publication be made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(8)(D)(2), and that 
respondent bear the costs of publication. 
{¶ 21} For earlier case, see Toledo Bar Assn. v. Lowden, 105 Ohio St.3d 
377, 2005-Ohio-2162, 826 N.E.2d 836. 
 
MOYER, C.J., RESNICK, LUNDBERG STRATTON and O’CONNOR, JJ., concur. 
 
PFEIFER, O’DONNELL and LANZINGER, JJ., concur but would not require 
the mental-health evaluation. 
_____________________