Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Ruffenach

Citation: 2021-Ohio-2625

Docket Number: 2021-0810

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2021-08-02T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Ruffenach, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2021-Ohio-2625.] 
 
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DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. RUFFENACH. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Ruffenach, ___ Ohio St.3d ___,  
2021-Ohio-2625.] 
Attorneys at law—Reciprocal discipline from the Supreme Court of Minnesota—
Suspension from the practice of law with reinstatement conditioned on 
reinstatement by the Supreme Court of Minnesota—Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2021-0810—Submitted June 25, 2021—Decided August 2, 2021.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Supreme Court of Minnesota, No. A20-1081. 
__________________ 
{¶ 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 June 25, 2021, relator, disciplinary counsel, filed with this court 
a certified copy of an order of the Supreme Court of Minnesota entered January 
21, 2021, in In re Petition for Disciplinary Action against Michael R. Ruffenach, 
a Minnesota Attorney, Registration No. 0094298, in case No. A20-1081, 
indefinitely suspending respondent from the practice of law.  On June 29, 2021, 
this court ordered respondent to show cause why identical or comparable 
discipline should not be imposed in this state.  No objections 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)(C), respondent, Michael Rodney Ruffenach, 
Attorney Registration No. 0032536, last known business address in Bemidji, 
Minnesota, is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law and 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 Minnesota. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
 
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{¶ 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. 
{¶ 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 
January Term, 2021 
 
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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. 
{¶ 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 Minnesota, (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 
cocounsel of respondent’s suspension and consequent disqualification to act as an 
attorney after the effective date of this order and, in the absence of cocounsel, 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; 
{¶ 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 cocounsel, 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; 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
 
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{¶ 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; 
{¶ 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 service shall be deemed made on 
respondent by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, to respondent’s 
last known address. 
{¶ 21} 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)(E)(1) and that publication be 
made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(E)(2). 
O’CONNOR, C.J., and KENNEDY, FISCHER, DEWINE, DONNELLY, STEWART, 
and BRUNNER, JJ., concur. 
_________________