Case Title: Columbus Bar Assn. v. Blankenship

Citation: 1999-Ohio-397

Docket Number: 

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 1999-04-06T00:00:00Z

Document:
COLUMBUS BAR ASSOCIATION v. BLANKENSHIP. 
[Cite as Columbus Bar Assn. v. Blankenship (1999), ___ Ohio St.3d ___.] 
(No. 95-1200 — Submitted March 31, 1999 — Decided April 6, 1999.) 
ON PETITION FOR REINSTATEMENT. 
 
This cause came on for further consideration upon the filing of a petition for 
reinstatement on April 15, 1998, by respondent, Jeffrey A. Blankenship.  In 
accordance with Gov.Bar R. V(10)(F), respondent’s petition for reinstatement was 
referred to the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline.  The Board 
of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline filed its Final Report in this court 
on February 17, 1999, recommending that respondent be reinstated to the practice 
of law in the state of Ohio on the following conditions: (1) respondent renews his 
contract with Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (“OLAP”) for a period of an 
additional two years, and respondent fully complies with all of the terms and 
conditions of said contract, as recommended by OLAP; (2) relator appoints a 
practice monitor for a period of two years who will review periodically 
respondent’s office procedures, case management practices, record keeping, ethical 
compliance, and other related issues; and (3) respondent obtains and keeps in force 
a reasonable policy of professional malpractice insurance for his practice area and 
establishes one or more trust accounts in which to maintain all clients’ funds, 
which trust account(s) shall be subject to an annual independent audit, at 
respondent’s expense, for two years.  No objections to said Final Report were filed. 
 
The court now considers its order of February 28, 1996, indefinitely 
suspending respondent, Jeffrey A. Blankenship, from the practice of law pursuant 
to Gov.Bar R. V(6)(B)(2).  On consideration thereof and the Final Report of the 
Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, 
 
IT IS ORDERED by the court that the respondent, Jeffrey A. Blankenship, 
Attorney Registration No. 0014764, last known address in Columbus, Ohio, be, 
 
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and hereby is, reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio on the conditions 
recommended by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before thirty days from the date of 
this order, relator, the Columbus Bar Association, file with the Clerk’s Office of 
this court the name of the attorney who will monitor respondent in accordance with 
Gov.Bar R. V(9).  It is further ordered that at the end of the two-year probationary 
period, relator file with the Clerk’s Office a report indicating whether respondent 
has complied with the terms and conditions of this probation. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED by the court that respondent be taxed the 
costs of these proceedings in the amount of $705.70, less the deposit of $500, for a 
total balance due of $205.70, which costs shall be payable to this court on or before 
ninety days from the date of this order, by certified check or money order. It is 
further ordered that if these costs are not paid in full on or before ninety days from 
the date of this order, interest at the rate of ten percent per annum shall accrue as of 
ninety days from the date of this order, on the balance of unpaid board costs.  It is 
further ordered that if costs are not paid in full on or before ninety days from the 
date of this order, respondent may be found in contempt and may be suspended 
until costs, including any accrued interest, are paid in full. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that at the end of the probationary period, 
respondent may apply for termination of probation.  It is further ordered that 
respondent’s probation shall not be terminated until (1) he applies for termination 
of probation in accordance with Gov.Bar R. V(9) and meets the requirements of 
having his probation terminated; (2) he complies with this and all other orders 
issued by this court; (3) he complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the 
Government of the Bar of Ohio; (4) relator files a report with the Clerk’s Office of 
this court, indicating that respondent has complied with the terms and conditions of 
 
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his monitored probation; and (5) this court enters an order terminating his 
probation. 
 
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. 
 
For earlier case, see Columbus Bar Assn. v. Blankenship (1996), 74 Ohio 
St.3d 586, 660 N.E.2d 1141. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur.