Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Lape

Citation: 2013-Ohio-1533

Docket Number: 2011-1024

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2013-04-18T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Lape, ___ Ohio St.3d ____, 2013-Ohio-1533.] 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. LAPE. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Lape, ___ Ohio St.3d ___,  
2013-Ohio-1533.] 
(No. 2011-1024—Submitted April 12, 2013—Decided April 18, 2013.) 
ON ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. 
__________________ 
{¶ 1} November 10, 2011, this court suspended respondent, Lynn Ann 
Lape, from the practice of law for a period of six months with the entire 
suspension stayed on conditions.  Respondent was also ordered to pay costs in this 
matter.  Respondent has not paid costs as ordered by the court.  On February 15, 
2013, a show-cause order was issued for failure to pay board and publication 
costs.  Respondent did not file a response to the show cause order. 
{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this 
court that respondent, Lynn Ann Lape, Attorney Registration No. 0068728, last 
known business address in Cincinnati, Ohio, is found in contempt for failure to 
comply with the court’s November 10, 2011 order. 
{¶ 3} It is further ordered that the previously imposed stay of the six-
month suspension is revoked and that respondent is suspended from the practice 
of law until respondent pays all costs and accrued interest in full, has applied for 
reinstatement, and has been granted reinstatement by this court. 
{¶ 4} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist 
from the practice of law in any form and that she is hereby forbidden to appear on 
behalf of another before any court, judge, commission, board, administrative 
agency, or other public authority. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
 
{¶ 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 by the court that within 90 days of the date of 
this order, respondent shall reimburse any amounts that have been awarded 
against respondent by the Clients’ Security Fund pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
VIII(7)(F).  It is further ordered by the court that if after the date of this order, the 
Clients’ Security Fund awards any amount against respondent pursuant to 
Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F), respondent shall reimburse that amount to the Clients’ 
Security Fund within 90 days of the notice of that award. 
{¶ 8} 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. 
{¶ 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 complies with this and all other 
orders of the Court, and (4) this court orders respondent reinstated. 
{¶ 10} It is further ordered that respondent shall immediately do the 
following:  
January Term, 2013 
3 
 
{¶ 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 respondent’s 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 or, in the absence of counsel, the 
adverse parties in pending litigation 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 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 
{¶ 17} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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{¶ 18} It is further ordered that 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 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 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 Office of Attorney 
Services. 
{¶ 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. 
__________________ 
O’CONNOR, C.J., and PFEIFER, O’DONNELL, LANZINGER, KENNEDY, 
FRENCH, and O’NEILL, JJ., concur. 
______________________