Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Lehmkuhl

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Lehmkuhl, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2014-Ohio-1199.] 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. LEHMKUHL. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Lehmkuhl, ___ Ohio St.3d ___,  
2014-Ohio-1199.] 
(No. 2012-1719—Submitted March 24, 2014—Decided March 27, 2014.) 
ON ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE 
____________________ 
{¶ 1} October 16, 2013, this court publicly reprimanded respondent, 
Phillip Douglas Lehmkuhl, and ordered him to pay the costs associated with this 
matter in the amount of $658.43, due on or before January 14, 2014.  Respondent 
has not paid board costs as ordered by the court.  On February 25, 2014, this court 
issued an order to show cause why respondent should not be found in contempt 
and suspended for failure to comply with the court’s order.  Respondent did not 
file a response to the show-cause order. 
{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this 
court that respondent, Phillip Douglas Lehmkuhl, Attorney Registration No. 
0021246, last known address in Mount Vernon, Ohio, is found in contempt for 
failure to comply with the court’s October 16, 2013 order. 
{¶ 3} It is further ordered that respondent is suspended from the practice 
of law until respondent pays all costs and accrued interest in full, has applied for 
reinstatement, and has been granted reinstatement by this court. 
{¶ 4} 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(8)(G)(3).  If employed pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(8)(G), respondent shall refrain from direct client contact except as provided in 
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Gov.Bar R. V(8)(G)(1) and from receiving, disbursing, or otherwise handling any 
client trust funds or property. 
{¶ 5} 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 the 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. 
{¶ 6} It is further ordered that respondent shall not be reinstated to the 
practice of law in Ohio until (1) respondent pays the costs, including any and all 
accrued interest, (2) respondent complies with the requirements for reinstatement 
set forth in the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, (3) 
respondent complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar 
of Ohio, (4) respondent complies with this and all other orders of the court, and 
(5) this court orders respondent reinstated. 
{¶ 7} It is further ordered that respondent shall immediately do the 
following: 
{¶ 8} 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;  
{¶ 9} 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;  
January Term, 2014 
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{¶ 10} 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;  
{¶ 11} 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;  
{¶ 12} 5. Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a 
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent;  
{¶ 13} 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 notices required herein, and setting forth the address where the 
respondent may receive communications; and 
{¶ 14} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶ 15} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk and 
disciplinary counsel advised of any change of address where respondent may 
receive communications. 
{¶ 16} 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. 
{¶ 17} 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. 
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{¶ 18} 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. 
O’CONNOR, C.J., and PFEIFER, O’DONNELL, LANZINGER, KENNEDY, 
FRENCH, and O’NEILL, JJ., concur. 
________________________