Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Thomas

Citation: 2018-Ohio-2059

Docket Number: 2018-0553

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2018-05-30T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Thomas, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2018-Ohio-2059.] 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. THOMAS. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Thomas, ___ Ohio St.3d ___,  
2018-Ohio-2059.] 
(No. 2018-0553—Submitted April 18, 2018—Decided May 30, 2018.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER OF THE SUPREME COURT OF WEST VIRGINIA, NO. 17-0131 
____________________ 
{¶ 1} This cause is pending before the Supreme Court of Ohio in 
accordance with the reciprocal-discipline provisions of Gov.Bar R. V(20). 
{¶ 2} On April 18, 2018, relator, disciplinary counsel, filed with this court 
a certified copy of an order of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia 
entered August 30, 2017, in Lawyer Disciplinary Board v. Mark A. Thomas, in 
case No. 17-0131, disbarring respondent by consent.  On April 20, 2018, this 
court ordered respondent to show cause why identical or comparable discipline 
should not be imposed in this state.  No objections to said final report were filed, 
and this cause was considered by the court. 
{¶ 3} On consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court 
that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(20)(B), respondent, Mark Alan Thomas, Attorney 
Registration No. 0037922, last known business address in St. Clairsville, Ohio, is 
suspended from the practice of law for a period of five years.  It is further ordered 
that respondent will not be reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until such time 
as respondent is reinstated to the practice of law in the state of West Virginia. 
{¶ 4} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist 
from the practice of law in any form and is 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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{¶ 5} It is further ordered that respondent is forbidden to counsel, advise, 
or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner perform legal services for 
others. 
{¶ 6} It is further ordered that respondent is 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 before entering into an employment, 
contractual, or consulting relationship with any attorney or law firm, respondent 
shall verify that the attorney or law firm has complied with the registration 
requirements of Gov.Bar R. V(23)(C).  If employed pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(23), respondent shall refrain from direct client contact except as provided in 
Gov.Bar R. V(23)(A)(1) and from receiving, disbursing, or otherwise handling 
any client trust funds or property. 
{¶ 8} It is further ordered that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. X(13), 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(13), respondent shall 
complete one credit hour of instruction related to professional conduct required by 
Gov.Bar R. X(3)(B) for each six months, or portion of six months, of the 
suspension. 
{¶ 9} 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 Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection pursuant to 
Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F).  It is further ordered by the court that if after the date of 
this order, the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection awards any amount against 
respondent pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F), respondent shall reimburse that 
amount to the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection within 90 days of the notice of 
that award. 
January Term, 2018 
 
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{¶ 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 
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 West Virginia, (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 do the following: 
{¶ 12} 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; 
{¶ 13} 2.  Regardless of any fees or expenses due, 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 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; 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
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{¶ 16} 5.  Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a 
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent; 
{¶ 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 respondent fully 
complies with this order, respondent shall keep the clerk and disciplinary counsel 
advised of any change of address where respondent may receive communications. 
{¶ 20} 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.  All case documents are subject to Sup.R. 44 through 47, 
which govern access to court records. 
{¶ 21} It is further ordered that service shall be deemed made on 
respondent by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, to respondent’s 
last known address. 
{¶ 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(17)(D)(1) and that publication be 
made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(D)(2). 
O’CONNOR, C.J., and O’DONNELL, KENNEDY, FRENCH, FISCHER, DEWINE, 
and DEGENARO, JJ., concur. 
________________________