Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Smith

Citation: 2001-Ohio-1621

Docket Number: 20011366

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2001-11-14T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Smith, 93 Ohio St.3d 1221, 2001-
Ohio-1621] 
 
 
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. SMITH. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Smith (2001), 93 Ohio St.3d 1221.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Reciprocal discipline from Missouri — 
Indefinite suspension — Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 01-1366 — Submitted and decided October 18, 2001.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSOURI, NO. SC83226. 
__________________ 
 
This cause is pending before the Supreme Court of Ohio in accordance with the 
reciprocal discipline provisions of Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F). 
 
On July 30, 2001, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with this court a certified 
copy of an order of the Supreme Court of Missouri entered May 29, 2001, in In re 
Charlie Smith, Jr., Supreme Court case No. SC83226, disbarring respondent, Charlie 
Smith, Jr.  On August 8, 2001, this court ordered respondent to show cause why identical 
or comparable discipline should not be imposed in this state.  Respondent filed no 
response to the show cause order.  This cause was considered by the court and on 
consideration thereof, 
 
IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED by this court that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(F)(4), respondent, Charlie Smith, Jr., Attorney Registration No. 0012880, last 
known address in St. Charles, Missouri, be indefinitely suspended from the practice of 
law in Ohio and 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 Missouri. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent, Charlie Smith, Jr., 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. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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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. 
 
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 files evidence with the Clerk of this court and with 
Disciplinary Counsel demonstrating his reinstatement to the practice of law in Missouri; 
January Term, 2001 
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(4) respondent complies with this and all other orders issued by this court; and (5) this 
court orders respondent reinstated. 
 
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 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 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 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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7. 
Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by respondent 
pursuant to this order. 
 
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. 
 
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. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur. 
__________________