Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Smith

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Smith, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2014-Ohio-1250.] 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. SMITH. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Smith, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2014-Ohio-1250.] 
Attorneys at law—Reciprocal discipline from the Indiana Supreme Court—
Ninety-day suspension, stayed on condition—Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2014-0116—Submitted March 26, 2014—Decided March 31, 2014.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Indiana Supreme Court, No. 49S00-1309-DI-592. 
__________________ 
{¶ 1} This cause is pending before the Supreme Court of Ohio in 
accordance with the reciprocal-discipline provisions of Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F). 
{¶ 2} On January 23, 2014, relator, disciplinary counsel, filed with this 
court a certified copy of an order of the Indiana Supreme Court entered October 
28, 2013, in In re Smith, case No. 49S00-1309-DI-592, suspending respondent 
from the practice of law for a period of 90 days, all stayed subject to his 
completion of at least 24 months of probation with monitoring by the Indiana 
Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (“JLAP”).  On January 28, 2014, this 
court ordered respondent to show cause why identical or comparable discipline 
should not be imposed in this state.  Respondent filed a response to the show-
cause order. 
{¶ 3} On consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court 
that, pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4), respondent, Jess Monroe Smith III, 
Attorney Registration No. 0061328, last known business address in Indianapolis, 
Indiana, is suspended from the practice of law for a period of 90 days, with the 
entire suspension stayed on the condition that respondent serve a 24-month period 
of monitored probation.  It is further ordered that respondent’s monitored 
probation will be satisfied by respondent’s compliance with the monitored 
probation imposed by the state of Indiana.  Respondent’s probation will not be 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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terminated until such time as respondent’s probation has been terminated in the 
state of Indiana.  Respondent is ordered to notify the court when the probation 
imposed by Indiana has been terminated.  It is further ordered that if respondent 
violates the stay of the suspension, the stay shall be lifted, and respondent shall 
serve the entire 90-day suspension. 
{¶ 4} 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 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 respondent 
pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F), respondent shall reimburse that amount to the 
Clients’ Security Fund within 90 days of the notice of that award. 
{¶ 5} It is further ordered that respondent may not apply for termination 
of probation in Ohio until (1) respondent complies with the requirements for 
termination of probation 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 disciplinary counsel demonstrating his termination of probation in 
Indiana, (4) respondent complies with this and all other orders issued by this 
court, and (5) this court orders the probation of respondent terminated. 
{¶ 6} 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. 
{¶ 7} 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. 
January Term, 2014 
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{¶ 8} 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 Office of Attorney 
Services. 
{¶ 9} 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. 
O’CONNOR, C.J., and PFEIFER, O’DONNELL, LANZINGER, KENNEDY, 
FRENCH, and O’NEILL, JJ., concur. 
______________________