Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Griffith

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Griffith, 95 Ohio St.3d 1217, 2002-Ohio-2337.] 
 
 
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. GRIFFITH. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Griffith, 95 Ohio St.3d 1217, 2002-Ohio-2337.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Reciprocal discipline from Arizona — Suspension 
until respondent is reinstated in Arizona — Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2001-1878 — Submitted and decided April 30, 2002.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Supreme Court of Arizona, No. SB-01-0041-D. 
__________________ 
{¶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 October 22, 2001, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with this court 
a certified copy of an order of the Supreme Court of Arizona entered June 18, 2001, 
in In the Matter of Gregg H. Griffith in case No. SB-01-0041-D, disbarring 
respondent, Gregg H. Griffith, a.k.a. Gregg Holly Griffith, from the practice of law in 
the state of Arizona.  On March 5, 2002, 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, Gregg H. Griffith, a.k.a. Gregg Holly Griffith, 
Attorney Registration No. 0043325, last known business address in Phoenix, 
Arizona, be suspended from the practice of law in Ohio until such time as he is 
reinstated to the practice of law in the state of Arizona. 
{¶4} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent, Gregg H. Griffith, 
a.k.a. Gregg Holly Griffith, immediately cease and desist from the practice of law in 
any form and is hereby forbidden to appear on behalf of another before any court, 
judge, commission, board, administrative agency, or other public authority. 
January Term, 2002 
 
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{¶5} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent is hereby 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 hereby 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 respondent surrender his certificate 
of admission to practice to the Clerk of this court on or before 30 days from the date 
of this order, and that his name be stricken from the roll of attorneys maintained by 
this court. 
{¶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 
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. 
{¶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 
January Term, 2002 
 
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Disciplinary Counsel demonstrating his reinstatement to the practice of law in 
Arizona; (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 his suspension and his 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; 
{¶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 his 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 
January Term, 2002 
 
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{¶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 he 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 Attorney 
Registration Office. 
{¶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. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur. 
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