Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Matthews

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Matthews, 104 Ohio St.3d 1204, 2004-Ohio-7144.] 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. MATTHEWS. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Matthews, 104 Ohio St.3d 1204, 2004-Ohio-
7144.] 
Attorneys at law – Reciprocal discipline from the Supreme Court of Kentucky – 
Permanent disbarment – Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2004-1576 – Submitted December 3, 2004 – Decided December 9, 2004.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Supreme Court of  
Kentucky, No. 2004-SC-0087-KB. 
__________________ 
{¶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 20, 2004, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with  
this court a certified copy of an order of the Supreme Court of Kentucky entered 
April 22, 2004, in Kentucky Bar Association v. Gary Robert Matthews, in case 
No. 2004-SC-0087-KB, permanently disbarring respondent.  On October 8, 2004, 
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, Gary Robert Matthews, Attorney 
Registration No. 0046408, last known business address in Lexington, Kentucky, 
be permanently disbarred. 
{¶4} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent immediately cease 
and desist from the practice of law in any form and is hereby forbidden to appear 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
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 
respondent's certificate of admission to practice to the Clerk of the court on or 
before 30 days from the date of this order, and that respondent's name be stricken 
from the roll of attorneys maintained by this court. 
{¶8} 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. 
{¶9} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before 30 days from the 
date of this order, respondent shall: 
{¶10} 1. 
Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and 
any co-counsel of respondent's disbarment 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; 
January Term, 2004 
3 
{¶11} 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; 
{¶12} 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; 
{¶13} 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; 
{¶14} 5. 
Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a 
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent; 
{¶15} 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 
{¶16} 7. 
Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶17} 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. 
{¶18} 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 
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of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, including requirements as to form, 
number, and timeliness of filings. 
{¶19} 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 Section. 
{¶20} 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., RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, LUNDBERG STRATTON, 
O’CONNOR AND O’DONNELL, JJ., concur. 
__________________