Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. McCray

Citation: 2019-Ohio-1857

Docket Number: 2018-1437

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2019-05-21T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. McCray, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2019-Ohio-4558.] 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. MCCRAY. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. McCray, ___ Ohio St.3d ___,  
2019-Ohio-4558.] 
(No. 2018-1437—Submitted October 2, 2019—Decided November 7, 2019.) 
ON ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. 
____________________ 
{¶ 1} On May 21, 2019, this court suspended respondent, Leah Traci 
McCray, from the practice of law for a period of one year, with the entire 
suspension stayed on conditions, and ordered respondent to pay board costs in the 
amount of $515.19.  Respondent has not paid board costs in the amount of $515.19 
as ordered by the court.  On October 2, 2019, this court issued an order to show 
cause why respondent should not be found in contempt and the stay of her 
suspension revoked for failure to pay board costs in the amount of $515.19.  
Respondent did not file a response to the show-cause order. 
{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court 
that respondent Leah Traci McCray, Attorney Registration No. 0088751, last 
known address in Lima, Ohio, is found in contempt for failure to comply with the 
court’s May 21, 2019 order. 
{¶ 3} It is further ordered that the previously imposed stay of the suspension 
is revoked and that respondent is suspended from the practice of law until 
respondent pays board costs in the amount of $515.19 and all interest due, has 
applied for reinstatement, and has been granted reinstatement by this court. 
{¶ 4} 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), 
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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. 
{¶ 5} 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. 
{¶ 6} It is further ordered that respondent shall not be reinstated to the 
practice of law in Ohio until (1) respondent pays the board costs, including any and 
all accrued interest, (2) respondent complies with the requirements for 
reinstatement set forth in the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar 
of Ohio, (3) respondent complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the Government 
of the Bar of Ohio, (4) respondent complies with this and all other orders of the 
court, and (5) this court orders respondent reinstated. 
{¶ 7} It is further ordered that respondent shall immediately do the 
following: 
{¶ 8} 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 services elsewhere, calling attention to any urgency 
in seeking the substitution of another attorney in respondent’s place;  
{¶ 9} 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;  
January Term, 2019 
 
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{¶ 10} 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 respondent’s 
possession or control;  
{¶ 11} 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;  
{¶ 12} 5. Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a 
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent;  
{¶ 13} 6. File with the clerk of this court and disciplinary counsel of the 
Supreme Court an affidavit showing compliance with this order, showing proof of 
service of the notices required herein, and setting forth the address where the 
respondent may receive communications; and 
{¶ 14} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶ 15} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk and 
disciplinary counsel advised of any change of address where respondent may 
receive communications. 
{¶ 16} 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. 
{¶ 17} It is further ordered that service shall be deemed made on respondent 
by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, by certified mail to 
respondent’s last known address. 
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{¶ 18} 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 KENNEDY, FRENCH, FISCHER, DEWINE, DONNELLY, 
and STEWART, JJ., concur. 
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