Case Title: Lorain Cty. Bar Assn. v. Ross

Citation: 2002-Ohio-5803

Docket Number: 20020700

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2002-11-06T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Lorain Cty. Bar Assn. v. Ross, 97 Ohio St.3d 224, 2002-Ohio-5803.] 
 
 
LORAIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION v. ROSS. 
[Cite as Lorain Cty. Bar Assn. v. Ross, 97 Ohio St.3d 224, 2002-Ohio-5803.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Public reprimand — Failing to cooperate in 
an investigation of professional misconduct. 
(No. 2002-0700 — Submitted July 24, 2002 — Decided November 6, 2002.) 
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 
Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 01-01. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam. 
{¶1} 
In this case, we have reviewed the recommendation of the Board of 
Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline that respondent, Michael A. Ross of 
Avon, Ohio, Attorney Registration No. 0061243, be publicly reprimanded for 
having violated Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G) (failing to cooperate in an investigation of 
professional misconduct).  Upon review of the record, we adopt the board’s 
findings and recommendation. 
{¶2} 
Relator, Lorain County Bar Association, charged respondent with 
failure to cooperate in a disciplinary investigation by a complaint filed with the 
board on January 29, 2001.  A panel of the board heard the cause, found the 
violation of Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G), and recommended a public reprimand.  The 
panel determined that while the issue of respondent’s conduct in his 
representation of a client was no longer before it, respondent’s conceded failure to 
respond promptly or at all to information requests constituted a dereliction of his 
professional obligations.  In making its recommendation, the panel considered 
respondent’s lack of a prior disciplinary record, numerous character references, 
service to the community, and remorse. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
{¶3} 
The board adopted the panel’s findings and recommendation.  We 
agree with the board that a public reprimand is appropriate.  Respondent is 
therefore publicly reprimanded for having violated Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G).  Costs 
are taxed to respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur. 
__________________ 
 
Fauver, Keyse-Walker & Donovan and John L. Keyse-Walker, for relator. 
 
William T. Doyle, for respondent. 
__________________