Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Barnes

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Barnes, 126 Ohio St.3d 1203, 2010-Ohio-3400.] 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. BARNES. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Barnes,  
126 Ohio St.3d 1203, 2010-Ohio-3400.] 
Attorneys at law — Reciprocal discipline from the Supreme Judicial Court of 
Massachusetts — Indefinite suspension — Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2010-0754 — Submitted June 15, 2010 — Decided June 22, 2010.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, 
No. BD-2009-123. 
__________________ 
{¶ 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 April 29, 2010, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with this 
court a certified copy of an order of the Supreme Judicial Court for Suffolk 
County, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, entered January 5, 2010, in In re 
Barnes, case No. BD-2009-123, indefinitely suspending respondent.  The 
respondent did not provide written notification to the Clerk of this court within 30 
days of the imposition of the discipline as required by Gov.Bar R.V(11)(F)(1).  
On May 12, 2010, this court ordered respondent to show cause why identical or 
comparable discipline should not be imposed in this state.  Respondent filed no 
response to the show cause order.  This cause was considered by the court and on 
consideration thereof, 
{¶ 3} It is ordered and adjudged by this court that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(F)(4), respondent, Donald Henry Barnes, Attorney Registration No. 
0053330, last known address in Cleveland, Ohio, be indefinitely suspended from 
the practice of law in Ohio.  Respondent may not petition for reinstatement until 
the expiration of at least five years from the date of this order and will not be 
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reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until such time as respondent is reinstated 
to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
{¶ 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 or 
advise or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner perform such 
services. 
{¶ 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(8)(G)(3).  If employed pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(8)(G), respondent shall refrain from direct client contact except as provided in 
Gov.Bar R. V(8)(G)(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(3)(G), 
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(3)(G), respondent shall 
complete one credit hour of instruction related to professional conduct required by 
Gov.Bar R. X(3)(A)(1) for each six months or portion of six months of the 
suspension. 
{¶ 9} 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 
January Term, 2010 
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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 such 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 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, (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: 
{¶ 12} 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 service elsewhere, calling attention to any 
urgency in seeking the substitution of another attorney in his place; 
{¶ 13} 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; 
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{¶ 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; 
{¶ 15} 4.  Notify opposing counsel in pending litigation or, in the absence 
of counsel, the adverse parties, 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 the Disciplinary 
Counsel advised of any change of address where respondent may receive 
communications. 
{¶ 20} 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. 
{¶ 21} 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. 
January Term, 2010 
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{¶ 22} 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. 
BROWN, 
C.J., 
and 
PFEIFER, 
LUNDBERG 
STRATTON, 
O’CONNOR, 
O’DONNELL, LANZINGER, and CUPP, JJ., concur. 
______________________