Title: Trumbull Cty. Bar Assn. v. Lutseck

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Trumbull Cty. Bar Assn. v. Lutseck, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2019-Ohio-4770.] 
 
 
 
TRUMBULL COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION v. LUTSECK. 
[Cite as Trumbull Cty. Bar Assn. v. Lutseck, ___ Ohio St.3d ___,  
2019-Ohio-4770.] 
(No. 2019-1454—Submitted October 25, 2019—Decided November 22, 2019.) 
ON CERTIFICATION OF DEFAULT. 
____________________ 
{¶ 1} On October 25, 2019, and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(14)(A), the 
Board of Professional Conduct filed with this court a certification of default, 
alleging that respondent, John Patrick Lutseck, failed to file an answer to a formal 
complaint pending before the board.  Respondent did not file a response. 
{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(14)(B)(1), 
it is ordered and decreed that an interim default suspension is immediately entered 
against John Patrick Lutseck, Attorney Registration No. 0003696, last known 
business address in Vienna, Ohio, and that the suspension is effective as of the date 
of this entry. 
{¶ 3} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist from 
the practice of law in any form and that he is hereby forbidden to appear on behalf 
of another before any court, judge, commission, board, administrative agency, or 
other public authority. 
{¶ 4} It is further ordered that effective immediately, respondent is 
forbidden to counsel, advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any 
manner perform legal services for others. 
{¶ 5} 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. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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{¶ 6} It is further ordered that before entering into an employment, 
contractual, or consulting relationship with any attorney or law firm, respondent 
shall verify that the attorney or law firm has complied with the registration 
requirements of Gov.Bar R. V(23)(C).  If employed pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(23), 
respondent shall refrain from direct client contact except as provided in  Gov.Bar 
R. V(23)(A)(1) and from receiving, disbursing, or otherwise handling any client 
trust funds or property. 
{¶ 7} It is further ordered that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. X(13), 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(13), respondent shall complete one credit 
hour of instruction related to professional conduct required by Gov.Bar R. X(3)(B) 
for each six months, or portion of six months, of the suspension. 
{¶ 8} 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 this and all other orders issued by this court, 
(3) respondent complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the 
Bar of Ohio, and (4) this court orders respondent reinstated. 
{¶ 9} It is further ordered by the court that within 90 days of the date of this 
order, respondent shall reimburse any amounts that have been awarded by the 
Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F).  It is further 
ordered by the court that if after the date of this order the Lawyers’ Fund for Client 
Protection awards any amount against respondent pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
VIII(7)(F), respondent shall reimburse that amount to the Lawyers’ Fund for Client 
Protection within 90 days of the notice of that award. 
{¶ 10} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this 
order, respondent shall do the following: 
January Term, 2019 
 
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{¶ 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 services elsewhere, calling attention to any urgency 
in seeking the substitution of another attorney in respondent’s place; 
{¶ 12} 2.  Regardless of any fees or expenses due, 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 his possession 
or control; 
{¶ 14} 4.  Notify opposing counsel or, in the absence of counsel, the adverse 
parties in pending litigation 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 disciplinary counsel of the 
Supreme Court an affidavit showing compliance with this order, showing proof of 
service of the notices required herein, and setting forth the address where 
respondent may receive communications; and 
{¶ 17} 7.  Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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{¶ 18} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk, the 
Trumbull County Bar Association, and disciplinary counsel advised of any change 
of address where respondent may receive communications. 
{¶ 19} It is further ordered 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.  All case documents are subject to Sup.R. 44 through 47, which govern 
access to court records. 
{¶ 20} It is further ordered 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. 
{¶ 21} It is further ordered that the clerk of this court issue certified copies 
of this order as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(D)(1) and that publication be 
made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(D)(2). 
O’CONNOR, C.J., and KENNEDY, FRENCH, FISCHER, DEWINE, DONNELLY, 
and STEWART, JJ., concur. 
________________________