Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Nasrallah

Citation: 2000-Ohio-85

Docket Number: 20001677

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2000-10-19T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Nasrallah, 90 Ohio St.3d 1225, 2000-Ohio-85.] 
 
 
 
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL ET AL. v. NASRALLAH. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Nasrallah (2000), 90 Ohio St.3d 1225.] 
Attorneys at law — Interim remedial suspension ordered immediately — Gov.Bar 
R. V(5a)(A)(1)(b). 
(No. 00-1677 — Submitted October 11, 2000 — Decided October 19, 2000.) 
ON MOTION FOR INTERIM SUSPENSION PURSUANT TO GOV.BAR R. V(5a)(A)(1)(b). 
 
On September 18, 2000, and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(5a)(A)(1)(b), 
relators, Office of Disciplinary Counsel and Dayton Bar Association, filed with 
this court a Motion for Interim Suspension Pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(5a), alleging 
that respondent, Fuad B. Nasrallah, a.k.a. Fuad Bahige Nasrallah, had committed 
numerous violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and poses a 
substantial threat of serious harm to the public.  On September 28, 2000, 
respondent filed a response. 
 
Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(5a)(B), it is 
ordered and decreed that an interim remedial suspension be immediately entered 
against Fuad B. Nasrallah, a.k.a. Fuad Bahige Nasrallah, Attorney Registration 
No. 0023893, last known business address in Dayton, Ohio, and that the 
suspension be effective as of the date of this entry, pending final disposition of 
disciplinary proceedings predicated on the conduct threatening the serious harm. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Fuad B. Nasrallah, a.k.a. Fuad Bahige 
Nasrallah, 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. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, effective immediately, he be forbidden 
to counsel or advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner 
perform legal services for others. 
 
 
2 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that he 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, 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 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 this and all other orders issued by this 
court, (3) respondent complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the Government 
of the Bar of Ohio, and (4) this court orders respondent reinstated. 
 
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 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 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 
 
 
3 
the clients to seek legal services elsewhere, calling attention to any urgency in 
seeking the substitution of another attorney in his place; 
 
2. 
Regardless of any fees or expenses due him, 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 his 
possession or control; 
 
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; 
 
5. 
Send all such 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 respondent shall keep the Clerk, the 
Dayton Bar Association, 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 
 
 
4 
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. 
 
DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and LUNDBERG 
STRATTON, JJ., concur. 
 
MOYER, C.J., dissents.