Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Tunnell

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Tunnell, 97 Ohio St.3d 1227, 2002-Ohio-7207.] 
 
 
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. TUNNELL. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Tunnell, 97 Ohio St.3d 1227, 2002-Ohio-
7207.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Reciprocal discipline from California — 
Indefinite suspension — Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2002-1616 — Submitted December 9, 2002 — Decided December 10, 2002.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Supreme Court of California, No. S094990. 
__________________ 
{¶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 September 19, 2002, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with 
this court a certified copy of an order of the Supreme Court of California entered 
February 13, 2001, in In the Matter of the Resignation of Robert Gordon Tunnell 
Jr., case No. S094990, accepting the voluntary resignation of Robert Gordon 
Tunnell Jr.  On September 27, 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, Robert Gordon Tunnell Jr., Attorney 
Registration No. 0054854, last known address in Corry, Pennsylvania, be 
indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio and he will not be 
reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until such time as he is reinstated to the 
practice of law in the state of California. 
{¶4} 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent, Robert Gordon 
Tunnell Jr., immediately cease and desist from the practice of law in any form and 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
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is hereby 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 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 
January Term, 2002 
 
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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 
California; (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; 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
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{¶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 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.