Title: Cleveland Bar Assn. v. McKissic

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Cleveland Bar Assn. v. McKissic, 106 Ohio St.3d 106, 2005-Ohio-3954.] 
 
 
CLEVELAND BAR ASSOCIATION v. MCKISSIC, D.B.A. VEL’S  
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, ET AL. 
[Cite as Cleveland Bar Assn. v. McKissic, 
106 Ohio St.3d 106, 2005-Ohio-3954.] 
Unauthorized practice of law — Selecting and completing legal forms for 
customers without attorney supervision is the unauthorized practice of 
law. 
(No. 2004-2146 — Submitted March 9, 2005 — Decided August 17, 2005.) 
ON FINAL REPORT by the Board on the Unauthorized Practice  
of Law of the Supreme Court, No. UPL 03-11. 
____________________ 
Per Curiam. 
{¶ 1} On November 3, 2003, relator, Cleveland Bar Association, charged 
that respondent, Velma McKissic of Cleveland, Ohio, and the companies through 
which she did business, Vel’s Professional Services, Velma McKissic & 
Associates, and McKissic & Associates, had engaged in the unauthorized practice 
of law.  The Board on the Unauthorized Practice of law considered the cause on 
the parties’ stipulations of fact and waiver of notice and hearing.  Gov.Bar R. 
VII(7)(C).  Accepting these filings, the board made findings of fact, conclusions 
of law, and a recommendation. 
{¶ 2} Respondent has never been an attorney admitted to practice, 
granted active status, or certified to practice law in Ohio pursuant to Gov.Bar R. I 
(admission to practice), II (internship), VI (active status), IX (temporary 
certification), or XI (foreign legal consultants).  While operating her companies 
during 2000 through 2003, however, respondent regularly (1) selected for her 
customers various legal forms, including divorce complaints, motions for 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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temporary custody and child support, bankruptcy petitions, tax returns, and deeds, 
(2) discussed their legal concerns, and (3) helped the customers complete their 
legal papers for filing in court.  Respondent advertised in the Cleveland Yellow 
Pages under the category “Legal Forms Assistance” and charged for her services. 
{¶ 3} Respondent claims that she did not realize that by selecting and 
completing legal forms for her customers, she was also engaging in the 
unauthorized practice of law.  She has since recognized the illegality of her 
conduct, however, and she has closed her business office.  Respondent maintains 
that she has not assisted anyone in preparing court documents since June 2003. 
{¶ 4} Respondent stipulated that she had engaged in the unauthorized 
practice of law and promised that she would never again hold herself out as 
qualified to help others prepare legal documents.  In return, relator agreed not to 
pursue the monetary sanctions made available by Gov.Bar R. VII(19)(D)(1)(c). 
{¶ 5} The board found that respondent had engaged in the unauthorized 
practice of law and recommended that we enjoin respondent from future attempts 
to prepare legal documents for others.  We adopt the board’s findings and 
recommendation. 
{¶ 6} Section 2(B)(1)(g), Article IV of the Ohio Constitution confers on 
this court jurisdiction over all matters related to the practice of law.  The 
unauthorized practice of law consists of rendering legal services and includes the 
preparation of legal pleadings and other papers without the supervision of an 
attorney licensed in Ohio.  Richland Cty. Bar Assn. v. Clapp (1998), 84 Ohio 
St.3d 276, 278, 703 N.E.2d 771; Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Coats, 98 Ohio St.3d 413, 
2003-Ohio-1496, 786 N.E.2d 449, ¶ 3. 
{¶ 7} We hereby find that respondent has engaged in the unauthorized 
practice of law.  Respondent is therefore enjoined from preparing legal documents 
for others and from any other conduct constituting the unauthorized practice of 
law.  Costs are taxed to respondent. 
January Term, 2005 
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Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, C.J., RESNICK, PFEIFER, LUNDBERG STRATTON, O’CONNOR, 
O’DONNELL and LANZINGER, JJ., concur. 
__________________ 
 
Craig S. Cobb and William R. Doslak, for relator. 
 
Velma McKissic, pro se. 
______________________