Case Title: Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Shafran

Citation: 1999-Ohio-372

Docket Number: 19972647

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 1999-02-02T00:00:00Z

Document:
CLEVELAND BAR ASSOCIATION v. SHAFRAN. 
[Cite as Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Shafran (1999), 84 Ohio St.3d 1248.] 
(No. 97-2647 — Submitted January 13, 1999 — Decided February 2, 1999.) 
ON ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE and RECOMMENDATION OF ADDITIONAL RELIEF. 
 
On May 13, 1998, this court suspended respondent, Michael Shafran, for a 
period of two years and stayed the suspension on conditions.  On October 2, 1998, 
the Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed a motion for order to appear and show 
cause.  On November 24, 1998, this court granted the motion and ordered 
respondent to show cause why he should not be found in contempt for failing to 
obey this court’s May 13, 1998 order.  Respondent did not file a response to the 
order to show cause.  On December 2, 1998, Disciplinary Counsel filed additional 
factual information and a recommendation of additional relief.  On consideration 
thereof, 
 
IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED by this court that the two-year 
suspension of respondent, Michael Shafran, Attorney Registration No. 0028991, 
last known business address in Cleveland, Ohio, previously stayed, be immediately 
reimposed.  It is further ordered that within one week of this order, respondent 
transfer all client files to the Cleveland Bar Association. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent, Michael Shafran, 
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 respondent is hereby forbidden to counsel 
or advise or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner perform such 
services. 
 
2
 
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. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent surrender his certificate of 
admission to practice to the Clerk of this court on or before thirty days from the 
date of this order, and that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys 
maintained by this court. 
 
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, sua sponte, by the court, that within ninety 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 ninety days of the notice of such award. 
 
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 complies with this and all other orders of the court; and (4) this court orders 
respondent reinstated. 
 
3
 
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 the clients to seek legal 
service elsewhere, calling attention to any urgency in seeking the substitution of another 
attorney in his place; 
 
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; 
 
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; 
 
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 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. 
 
4
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before thirty days from the date of this 
order, respondent surrender his attorney registration card for the 1997/1999 biennium. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent shall keep the Clerk, the Cleveland 
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 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. 
 
For earlier case, see Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Shafran (1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 1, 693 
N.E.2d 761. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur.