Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Givens

Citation: 2005-Ohio-4104

Docket Number: 20042175

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2005-08-31T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Givens, 106 Ohio St.3d 144, 2005-Ohio-4104.] 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. GIVENS. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Givens, 
106 Ohio St.3d 144, 2005-Ohio-4104.] 
Unauthorized practice of law – Filing of legal papers on behalf of another 
without license to practice law – Practice enjoined. 
(No. 2004-2175 — Submitted March 9, 2005 — Decided August 31, 2005.) 
ON FINAL REPORT by the Board on the Unauthorized Practice  
of Law of the Supreme Court, No. UPL 02-11. 
__________________ 
Per Curiam. 
{¶ 1} On December 4, 2002, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, charged that 
respondent, Greg P. Givens, last known address in Shadyside, Ohio, had engaged 
in the unauthorized practice of law.  Respondent was served the complaint but did 
not answer, and relator moved for default.  See Gov.Bar R. VII(7)(B).  The Board 
on the Unauthorized Practice of law granted the motion, making findings of fact, 
conclusions of law, and a recommendation. 
{¶ 2} Respondent represents that he is the director, chief executive 
officer, and statutory agent for United Charities/Adventure Novelty Association, 
Inc. (“Adventure Novelty”) and that Adventure Novelty is a nonprofit 
organization.  In evidence submitted to substantiate the motion for default, 
Adventure Novelty is also referred to as Adventure Novelty, Ohio Valley 
Chapter; Adventure Novelty/Volunteer Alliance, Ohio Valley Chapter; and Ohio 
Valley Chapter, Adventure Novelty organized as Volunteer Alliance.  Respondent 
has never been admitted to practice, granted active status, or 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). 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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{¶ 3} In June 2002, the Ohio Attorney General filed a complaint on 
behalf of the Ohio Department of Commerce against Adventure Novelty in the 
county court of Belmont County, Ohio, seeking to enforce the state minimum-
wage law and to recover $164.15 in underpaid wages.  On July 3, 2002, 
respondent filed two motions to dismiss the complaint, purportedly acting on 
Adventure Novelty’s behalf as “Attorney or Agent for Defendant.”  On August 5, 
2002, the Belmont County Court rejected the motion to dismiss because it had 
been filed by a nonlawyer. 
{¶ 4} On June 19, 2002, respondent filed a “Complaint for Preliminary 
Restraining Order and for Temporary and Permanent Injunction” in the United 
States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on behalf of Adventure 
Novelty and against the Ohio Department of Commerce.  Respondent signed the 
complaint as “Trial Attorney.”  Respondent also filed that day an application to 
proceed in forma pauperis and a motion to appear pro hac vice on Adventure 
Novelty’s behalf.  The district court immediately denied these motions because 
respondent had not identified himself as an attorney.  The court also dismissed the 
claim for injunctive relief for lack of jurisdiction.  On July 5, 2002, the court 
entered judgment against Adventure Novelty. 
{¶ 5} The board found that respondent had engaged in the unauthorized 
practice of law in Ohio and recommended that we enjoin respondent from future 
attempts to represent others in court.  We adopt the board’s findings 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 located in this state.  Sperry v. 
January Term, 2005 
3 
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. 
{¶ 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, only a licensed attorney may 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.  Moreover, a nonlawyer may not practice law in defense of a 
corporate entity merely because he holds some official corporate position.  
Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Clapp & Affiliates Fin. Serv., Inc. (2002), 94 Ohio St.3d 
509, 764 N.E.2d 1003.  Cf. Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Pearlman, 106 Ohio St.3d 136, 
2005-Ohio-4107, ___ N.E.2d ___ (company officer not licensed to practice law 
may assert a claim or defense in small claims court on behalf of a limited liability 
corporation, provided that the officer does not engage in cross-examination, 
argument, or other acts of advocacy). 
{¶ 8} Respondent, a nonlawyer, filed legal papers on behalf of another in 
Ohio and federal district court and thereby engaged in the unauthorized practice 
of law. Respondent is therefore enjoined from filing such papers and from all 
other acts constituting the unauthorized practice of law.  Costs are taxed to 
respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, C.J., RESNICK, PFEIFER, LUNDBERG STRATTON, O’CONNOR, 
O’DONNELL and LANZINGER, JJ., concur. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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__________________ 
 
Jonathan Coughlan, Disciplinary Counsel, and Robert R. Berger, Assistant 
Disciplinary Counsel, for relator. 
 
Greg P. Givens, pro se. 
______________________