Title: In re Resignation of Stevens

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as In re Resignation of Stevens, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2016-Ohio-5528.] 
 
 
 
IN RE RESIGNATION OF STEVENS. 
[Cite as In re Resignation of Stevens, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2016-Ohio-5528.] 
Attorneys at law—Resignation with disciplinary action pending—Gov.Bar R. 
VI(7)(C). 
(No. 2016-1030—Submitted August 17, 2016—Decided August 26, 2016.) 
ON APPLICATION FOR RETIREMENT OR RESIGNATION 
PURSUANT TO GOV.BAR R. VI(7). 
____________________ 
{¶ 1} Bruce Berton Stevens, Attorney Registration No. 0071250, last 
known business address in Bowling Green, Ohio, who was admitted to the bar of 
this state on November 8, 1999, submitted an application for retirement or 
resignation pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VI(7).  The application was referred to 
disciplinary counsel pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VI(7)(B).  On July 12, 2016, the Office 
of Attorney Services filed disciplinary counsel’s report, under seal, with this court 
in accordance with Gov.Bar R. VI(7)(B)(2). 
{¶ 2} On consideration thereof, it is ordered by the court that pursuant to 
Gov.Bar R. VI(7)(C), the resignation as an attorney and counselor at law is accepted 
as a resignation with disciplinary action pending. 
{¶ 3} It is further ordered and adjudged that from and after this date all 
rights and privileges extended to respondent to practice law in the state of Ohio be 
withdrawn, that henceforth respondent shall cease to hold himself forth as an 
attorney authorized to appear in the courts of this state, that respondent shall not 
attempt, either directly or indirectly, to render services as an attorney or counselor 
at law to or for any individuals, corporation, or society, nor in any way perform or 
seek to perform services for anyone, no matter how constituted, that must by law 
be executed by a duly appointed and qualified attorney within the state of Ohio. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
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{¶ 4} It is further ordered that respondent desist and refrain from the 
practice of law in any form, either as principal or agent or clerk or employee of 
another, and hereby is forbidden to appear in the state of Ohio as an attorney and 
counselor at law before any court, judge, board, commission, or other public 
authority, and hereby is forbidden to give another an opinion as to the law or its 
application or advise with relation thereto. 
{¶ 5} 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. 
{¶ 6} It is further ordered that respondent shall not enter into an 
employment, contractual, or consulting relationship with an attorney or law firm 
with which respondent was associated as a partner, shareholder, member, or 
employee at the time respondent engaged in the misconduct that resulted in this 
acceptance of respondent’s resignation with discipline pending. 
{¶ 7} It is further ordered that respondent shall 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 by the court that within 90 days of the date of this 
order, respondent shall reimburse any amounts that have been awarded against 
respondent 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 
January Term, 2016 
 
 
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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. 
{¶ 9} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this 
order, respondent shall do the following: 
{¶ 10} 1.  Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and any 
co-counsel of respondent’s resignation 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; 
{¶ 11} 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; 
{¶ 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 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; 
{¶ 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 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 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
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{¶ 16} 7.  Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶ 17} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this 
order, respondent shall surrender his attorney-registration card for the 2015/2017 
biennium. 
{¶ 18} It is further ordered that until such time as respondent fully complies 
with this order, respondent shall keep the clerk 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, to respondent’s last known 
address. 
{¶ 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 PFEIFER, O’DONNELL, LANZINGER, KENNEDY, 
FRENCH, and O’NEILL, JJ., concur. 
__________________________