Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Knuth

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Knuth, 119 Ohio St.3d 1201, 2008-Ohio-3810.] 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. KNUTH. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Knuth, 119 Ohio St.3d 1201, 2008-Ohio-3810.] 
Attorneys at law – Reciprocal discipline from the United States Patent and 
Trademark Office  – Three year suspension – Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 
(No. 2008-0682 – Submitted June 24, 2008 – Decided July 10, 2008.) 
ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the United States Patent  
and Trademark Office, No. 06-09. 
__________________ 
{¶ 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 10, 2008, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed with this 
court a certified copy of an order of the United States Patent and Trademark 
Office entered February 21, 2008, in In the Matter of Randall J. Knuth, Case No. 
06-09, suspending respondent for three years.  On April 25, 2008, this court 
ordered respondent to show cause why identical or comparable discipline should 
not be imposed in this state.  Respondent filed a 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, Randall James Knuth, Attorney Registration No. 
0046820, last known business address in Centerville, Ohio, be suspended for three 
years, and respondent will not be reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until 
such time as respondent is reinstated to the practice of law by the United States 
Patent and Trademark Office. 
{¶ 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 
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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 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. 
{¶ 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 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 
January Term, 2008 
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practice of law by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, (4) respondent 
complies with this and all other orders issued by this court, and (5) this court 
orders respondent reinstated. 
{¶ 10} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this 
order, respondent shall: 
{¶ 11} 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; 
{¶ 12} 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; 
{¶ 13} 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; 
{¶ 14} 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; 
{¶ 15} 5. Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a 
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent; 
{¶ 16} 6. File with the Clerk of this court and the Disciplinary Counsel 
of the Supreme Court an affidavit showing compliance with this order, showing 
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proof of service of notices required herein, and setting forth the address where the 
affiant may receive communications; and 
{¶ 17} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶ 18} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this 
order, respondent shall surrender the attorney registration card for the 2007/2009 
biennium. 
{¶ 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. 
{¶ 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., and LUNDBERG STRATTON, O’CONNOR, O’DONNELL, 
LANZINGER, and CUPP, JJ., concur. 
PFEIFER, J., dissents and would order briefing and a hearing.