Title: In re Resignation of Seidita

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as In re Resignation of Seidita, 90 Ohio St.3d 1209, 2000-Ohio-44.] 
 
 
 
 
 
IN RE RESIGNATION OF SEIDITA. 
[Cite as In re Resignation of Seidita (2000), 90 Ohio St.3d 1209.] 
Attorneys at law — Resignation with disciplinary action pending — Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(G)(3). 
(No. 00-1187 — Submitted August 22, 2000 — Decided September 15, 2000.) 
ON AFFIDAVIT OF RESIGNATION and AUTHORIZATION AND RELEASE PURSUANT TO 
GOV.BAR R. V(11)(G)(1). 
 
On June 30, 2000, respondent, Lawrence Joseph Seidita, Attorney 
Registration No. 0012526, last known business address in Youngstown, Ohio, who 
was admitted to the bar of this state on the 3rd day of November, 1973, submitted 
an Affidavit of Resignation and Authorization and Release pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(G)(1).  The affidavit and authorization and release were referred to 
Disciplinary Counsel pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(11)(G)(2).  On July 24, 2000, 
Disciplinary Counsel filed under seal his report with this court in accordance with 
Gov.Bar R. V(11)(G)(2).  Upon consideration thereof, 
 
IT IS ORDERED BY the court that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(11)(G)(3), 
Lawrence Joseph Seidita’s resignation as an attorney and counselor at law be 
accepted as a resignation with disciplinary action pending.  It is further ordered 
that his certificate of admission to the bar of Ohio be, and the same hereby is, 
 
 
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ordered cancelled and that the name of Lawrence Joseph Seidita be stricken from 
the roll of attorneys of this court. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that from and after this 
date all rights and privileges extended to Lawrence Joseph Seidita to practice law 
in the state of Ohio be withdrawn; that henceforth Lawrence Joseph Seidita shall 
cease to hold himself forth as an attorney authorized to appear in the courts of this 
state; that he 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, or 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. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Lawrence Joseph Seidita 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. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, sua sponte, by the court, that within ninety 
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 
 
 
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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 ninety days of the notice of such 
award. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent, Lawrence Joseph Seidita, 
surrender his certificate of admission to practice to the Clerk of this court on or 
before thirty days from the date of this order. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before thirty days from the date of 
this order, respondent shall: 
 
1. 
Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and any co-
counsel of his resignation and his 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; 
 
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; 
 
 
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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; 
 
4. 
Notify opposing counsel in pending litigation or, in the absence of 
counsel, the adverse parties of his 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; 
 
5. 
Send all such notices required by this order by certified mail with a 
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent; 
 
6. 
File with the Clerk of this court and the 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 affiant 
may receive communications; and 
 
7. 
Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by respondent 
pursuant to this order. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before thirty days from the date of 
this order, respondent surrender his attorney registration card for the l999/2001 
biennium. 
 
 
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IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that until such time as he 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. 
 
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. 
 
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 Attorney Registration 
Office. 
 
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., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER and COOK, JJ., 
CONCUR. 
 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, J., dissents, would not accept the resignation, and 
would have the disciplinary action proceed.