Title: In re Hoague

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as In re Hoague, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2017-Ohio-8949.] 
 
 
 
IN RE HOAGUE. 
[Cite as In re Hoague, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2017-Ohio-8949.] 
(No. 2017-1714—Submitted December 7, 2017—Decided December 12, 2017.) 
ON CERTIFIED ENTRY OF FELONY CONVICTION. 
____________________ 
{¶ 1} On December 7, 2017, and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(18), the 
director of the Board of Professional Conduct filed with the Supreme Court a 
certified copy of a judgment entry of a felony conviction against Michael 
Christopher Hoague, an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Ohio. 
{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(18)(A)(4), 
it is ordered and decreed that Michael Christopher Hoague, Attorney Registration 
No. 0024771, last known business address in Delaware, Ohio, is suspended from 
the practice of law for an interim period, effective as of the date of this entry. 
{¶ 3} It is further ordered that this matter is referred to disciplinary 
counsel for investigation and the commencement of disciplinary proceedings. 
{¶ 4} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist 
from the practice of law in any form and that respondent is 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 effective immediately, respondent is 
forbidden to counsel, advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any 
manner perform legal services for others. 
{¶ 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. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
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{¶ 7} 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. 
{¶ 8} 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. 
{¶ 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 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. 
{¶ 10} 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. 
January Term, 2017 
 
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{¶ 11} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this 
order, respondent shall do the following: 
{¶ 12} 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 respondent’s place;  
{¶ 13} 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;  
{¶ 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 respondent’s 
possession or control;  
{¶ 15} 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;  
{¶ 16} 5.  Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a 
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent;  
{¶ 17} 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 the 
affiant may receive communications; and  
{¶ 18} 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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{¶ 19} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk and 
disciplinary counsel advised of any change of address where respondent may 
receive communications. 
{¶ 20} 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. 
{¶ 21} It is further ordered that service shall be deemed made on 
respondent by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, to respondent’s 
last known address. 
{¶ 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(17)(D)(1) and that publication be 
made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(D)(2). 
O’CONNOR, C.J., and O’DONNELL, KENNEDY, FRENCH, O’NEILL, FISCHER, 
and DEWINE, JJ., concur. 
________________________