Case Title: Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Baron

Citation: 2005-Ohio-4790

Docket Number: 20042168

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2005-09-28T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Baron, 106 Ohio St.3d 259, 2005-Ohio-4790.] 
 
 
CLEVELAND BAR ASSOCIATION v. BARON. 
[Cite as Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Baron, 106 Ohio St.3d 259, 2005-Ohio-4790.] 
Attorneys at law — Unauthorized practice of law — Preparation of bankruptcy 
petitions in violation of federal law — Giving legal advice to bankruptcy 
petitioners — Injunction issued. 
(No. 2004-2168 — Submitted March 9, 2005 — Decided September 28, 2005.) 
ON FINAL REPORT by the Board on the Unauthorized Practice of Law of the 
Supreme Court, No. UPL 02-07. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam. 
{¶ 1} On October 4, 2002, relator, Cleveland Bar Association, charged 
respondent, Janet Baron, of Cleveland, Ohio, with having engaged in the 
unauthorized practice of law.  Relator attempted to serve respondent with the 
complaint by certified mail, but respondent did not sign the receipt.  Pursuant to 
Gov.Bar R. VII(10), service was obtained by ordinary mail evidenced by a 
certificate of mailing. 
{¶ 2} Respondent did not answer the complaint, and relator moved for 
default or summary judgment.  See Gov.Bar R. VII(7)(B).  The Board on the 
Unauthorized Practice of Law granted the motion and made findings of fact, 
conclusions of law, and a recommendation. 
{¶ 3} Respondent has never been an attorney admitted to practice, been 
granted active status, or been certified to practice law in Ohio pursuant to 
Gov.Bar R. I (admission to practice), II (internship), VI (active status), IX 
(temporary certification), or XI (foreign legal consultants), or apparently in any 
other jurisdiction.  Evidence showed, however, that she assisted one debtor and 
possibly others in preparing legal documents to file in the United States 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Ohio.  According to the affidavit 
and orders of United States Bankruptcy Judge Pat E. Morgenstern-Clarren, 
respondent accepted $150 and provided legal advice during 2002 to at least one 
debtor attempting to file bankruptcy, including recommending that the debtor 
convert from a Chapter 7 proceeding to a Chapter 13 to avoid losing her home.  
Respondent also did not comply with federal laws allowing lay assistance by a 
petition preparer if certain reporting and other requirements are met.  See Section 
110, Title 11, U.S.Code.  Respondent nonetheless prepared for the debtor 
schedules and a plan to be filed in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy. 
{¶ 4} Judge Morgenstern-Clarren ordered respondent to appear on 
March 12, 2002, and show why the cause should not be referred to the appropriate 
authorities for investigation.  Respondent did not appear on the scheduled date, 
and the judge referred the matter.  On June 17, 2002, the judge granted a motion 
filed by the United States Trustee asking that respondent be ordered to disgorge 
any fees she had received from the debtor in question and be fined. 
{¶ 5} The board found that respondent had engaged in the unauthorized 
practice of law and recommended that we enjoin respondent from these practices.  
We adopt the board’s finding and recommendation. 
{¶ 6} Section 2(B)(1)(g), Article IV of the Ohio Constitution confers on 
this court original jurisdiction over all matters related to the practice of law, 
including allegations of laypersons practicing law without a license.  Moreover, 
“except to the limited extent necessary for the accomplishment of the federal 
objectives,” none of which are at stake here, we are also authorized to enjoin the 
unauthorized practice of law before federal courts in this state.  Sperry v. Florida 
ex rel. Florida Bar (1963), 373 U.S. 379, 402, 83 S.Ct. 1322, 10 L.Ed.2d 428; 
Mahoning Cty. Bar Assn. v. Harpman (1993), 62 Ohio Misc.2d 573, 575, 608 
N.E.2d 872. 
January Term, 2005 
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{¶ 7} The unauthorized practice of law consists of rendering legal 
services for another by any person not admitted to practice in Ohio.  Gov.Bar R. 
VII(2)(A); R.C. 4705.01.  Thus, with limited exceptions, only a licensed attorney 
may provide legal advice, file pleadings and other legal papers in court, or 
manage court actions on another’s behalf.  Disciplinary Counsel v. Coleman 
(2000), 88 Ohio St.3d 155, 724 N.E.2d 402; Richland Cty. Bar Assn. v. Clapp 
(1998), 84 Ohio St.3d 276, 703 N.E.2d 771; Akron Bar Assn. v. Greene (1997), 77 
Ohio St.3d 279, 673 N.E.2d 1307; Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Estep (1995), 74 Ohio 
St.3d 172, 657 N.E.2d 499; and Land Title Abstract & Trust Co. v. Dworken 
(1934), 129 Ohio St. 23, 1 O.O. 313, 193 N.E. 650. 
{¶ 8} Respondent provided legal advice without conforming to federal 
statutes for the lay representation by bankruptcy petition preparers and without 
being licensed to practice law in Ohio or elsewhere.  She has therefore engaged in 
the unauthorized practice of law and is enjoined from such practices in the future.  
Costs, to the extent incurred pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VII(8)(A), are taxed to 
respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, C.J., RESNICK, PFEIFER, LUNDBERG STRATTON, O’CONNOR, 
O’DONNELL and LANZINGER, JJ., concur. 
__________________ 
 
Michael P. Harvey, Co., L.P.A., and Michael P. Harvey, for relator. 
______________________