Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Ankerman

Citation: 2003-Ohio-503

Docket Number: 20021999

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2003-01-22T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Ankerman, 98 Ohio St.3d 1205, 2003-Ohio-503.] 
 
 
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. ANKERMAN. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Ankerman, 98 Ohio St.3d 1205, 2003-Ohio-
503.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Reciprocal discipline from Connecticut — 
Three-year suspension — Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2002-1999 — Submitted January 17, 2003 — Decided January 22, 2003.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Superior Court of Connecticut, No. CV 00-0802379. 
__________________ 
{¶1} 
This cause is pending before the Supreme Court of Ohio in accordance 
with the reciprocal discipline provisions of Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F). 
{¶2} 
On November 18, 2002, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with this 
court a certified copy of an order of the Superior Court of Connecticut, Judicial District 
of Hartford, entered August 22, 2001, in Statewide Grievance Comm. v. William L. 
Ankerman, case No. CV 00-0802379, 2001 WL 34039473 suspending respondent, 
William L. Ankerman, for a period of three years.  On November 20, 2002, this court 
ordered respondent to show cause why identical or comparable discipline should not be 
imposed in this state.  Respondent filed a response to the order to show cause on 
December 16, 2002.  This cause was considered by the court and on consideration 
thereof, 
{¶3} 
IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED by this court that pursuant to 
Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4), respondent, William L. Ankerman, Attorney Registration No. 
0024093, last known business address in West Hartford, Connecticut, be suspended 
from the practice of law in Ohio for a period of three years and that he will not be 
reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until such time as he is reinstated to the practice 
of law in the state of Connecticut. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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{¶4} 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent, William L. Ankerman, 
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. 
{¶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 that respondent surrender his certificate of 
admission to practice to the Clerk of this court on or before 30 days from the date of this 
order, and that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys maintained by this court. 
{¶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, 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 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. 
{¶10} 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 
January Term, 2003 
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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 files evidence with the Clerk of this court and with 
Disciplinary Counsel demonstrating his reinstatement to the practice of law in 
Connecticut; (4) respondent complies with this and all other orders issued by this court; 
and (5) this court orders respondent reinstated. 
{¶11} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before 30 days from the date of 
this order, respondent shall: 
{¶12} 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; 
{¶13} 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; 
{¶14} 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; 
{¶15} 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; 
{¶16} 5. 
Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a 
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent; 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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{¶17} 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 
{¶18} 7. 
Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶19} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that until such time as he fully complies 
with this order, respondent shall keep the Clerk and the Disciplinary Counsel advised of 
any change of address where respondent may receive communications. 
{¶20} 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. 
{¶21} 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. 
{¶22} 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. 
 
MOYER, C.J., RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK, LUNDBERG 
STRATTON and O’CONNOR, JJ., concur. 
__________________