Case Title: In re Resignation of Kerns

Citation: 2002-Ohio-2127

Docket Number: 20020046

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2002-05-15T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as In re Resignation of Kerns, 95 Ohio St.3d 1213, 2002-Ohio-2127.] 
 
 
IN RE RESIGNATION OF KERNS. 
[Cite as In re Resignation of Kerns, 95 Ohio St.3d 1213, 2002-Ohio-2127.] 
Attorneys at law — Resignation with disciplinary action pending — Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(G)(3). 
(No. 2002-0046 — Submitted March 27, 1999 — Decided April 9, 2002.) 
ON AFFIDAVIT OF RESIGNATION and AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE PURSUANT TO 
GOV.BAR R. V(11)(G)(1). 
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{¶1} On January 11, 2002, respondent, Mary Kerns, Attorney Registration 
No. 0021077, last known business address in Richwood, Ohio, who was admitted 
to the bar of this state on the 1st day of November, 1983, submitted an Affidavit 
of Resignation and Authorization and Release pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(G)(1).  The affidavit and authorization and release were referred to 
Disciplinary Counsel pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(11)(G)(2).  On March 7, 2002, 
Disciplinary Counsel filed under seal his report with this court in accordance with 
Gov.Bar R. V(11)(G)(2).  Upon consideration thereof, 
{¶2} IT IS ORDERED BY THE COURT that pursuant to Gov.Bar. R. 
V(11)(G)(3), Mary Kern’s resignation as an attorney and counselor at law be 
accepted as a resignation with disciplinary action pending.  It is further ordered 
that her Certificate of Admission to the Bar of Ohio be, and the same hereby is, 
ordered cancelled and that the name of Mary Kerns be stricken from the roll of 
attorneys of this court. 
{¶3} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that from and after 
this date all rights and privileges extended to Mary Kerns to practice law in the 
state of Ohio be withdrawn; that henceforth Mary Kerns shall cease to hold 
herself forth as an attorney authorized to appear in the courts of this state; that she 
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shall not attempt, either directly or indirectly, to render services as an attorney or 
counselor at law to or for any individuals, corporation, or society, or in any way 
perform or seek to perform services for anyone, no matter how constituted, that 
must, by law, be executed by a duly appointed and qualified attorney within the 
state of Ohio. 
{¶4} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Mary Kerns desist and refrain 
from the practice of law in any form, either as principal or agent or clerk or 
employee of another, and hereby is forbidden to appear in the state of Ohio as an 
attorney and counselor at law before any court, judge, board, commission, or 
other public authority, and hereby is forbidden to give another an opinion as to the 
law or its application or advise with relation thereto. 
{¶5} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, sua sponte, by the court, that within 
90 days of the date of this order, respondent shall reimburse any amounts that 
have been awarded against the respondent by the Clients’ Security Fund pursuant 
to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F).  It is further ordered, sua sponte, by the court that if, 
after the date of this order, the Clients’ Security Fund awards any amount against 
the respondent pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F), the respondent shall reimburse 
that amount to the Clients’ Security Fund within 90 days of the notice of such 
award. 
{¶6} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent, Mary Kerns, 
surrender her certificate of admission to practice to the Clerk of this court on or 
before 30 days from the date of this order. 
{¶7} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before 30 days from the date 
of this order, respondent shall: 
{¶8} 
1. Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and any 
co-counsel of her resignation and her consequent disqualification to act as an 
attorney after the effective date of this order and, in the absence of co-counsel, 
January Term, 2002 
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also notify the clients to seek legal service elsewhere, calling attention to any 
urgency in seeking the substitution of another attorney in her place; 
{¶9} 
2. Regardless of any fees or expenses due respondent, 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; 
{¶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 the 
possession or control of respondent; 
{¶11} 4. Notify opposing counsel in pending litigation or, in the absence 
of counsel, the adverse parties of her 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 such 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 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 
{¶14} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶15} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before 30 days from the 
date of this order, respondent surrender her attorney registration card for the 
2001/2003 biennium. 
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{¶16} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that until such time as she fully 
complies with this order, respondent shall keep the Clerk and the Disciplinary 
Counsel advised of any change of address where respondent may receive 
communications. 
{¶17} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, sua sponte, 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. 
{¶18} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, sua sponte, that service shall be 
deemed made on respondent by sending this order, and all other orders in this 
case, by certified mail to the most recent address respondent has given to the 
Attorney Registration Office. 
{¶19} 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. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur. 
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