Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Norton

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Norton, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2023-Ohio-1740.] 
 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. NORTON. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Norton, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2023-Ohio-1740.] 
(No. 2023-0648—Submitted May 22, 2023—Decided May 24, 2023.) 
ON MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE INTERIM REMEDIAL SUSPENSION. 
____________________ 
{¶ 1} On May 17, 2023, and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(19)(A)(1)(b), 
relator, disciplinary counsel, filed with this court a motion for an immediate interim 
remedial suspension, alleging that respondent, Eric Edward Norton, has engaged in 
conduct that violates the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct and poses a 
substantial threat of serious harm to the public.  Respondent filed a response, and 
this matter was considered by the court. 
{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(19)(B), it 
is ordered and decreed that an interim remedial suspension is immediately entered 
against Eric Edward Norton, Attorney Registration No. 0071563, last known 
business address in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and that the suspension be effective 
as of the date of this entry, pending final disposition of disciplinary proceedings 
predicated on the conduct threatening the serious harm. 
{¶ 3} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist from 
the practice of law in any form and that respondent 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. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
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{¶ 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. 
{¶ 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. 
January Term, 2023 
 
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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: 
{¶ 11} 1.  Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and any 
cocounsel of respondent’s suspension and consequent disqualification to act as an 
attorney after the effective date of this order and, in the absence of cocounsel, 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 cocounsel, 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 respondent’s 
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 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
 
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{¶ 17} 7.  Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
{¶ 18} It is further ordered that 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 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. 
{¶ 20} 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)(E)(1) and that publication be 
made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(E)(2). 
KENNEDY, C.J., and FISCHER, DEWINE, STEWART, BRUNNER, and DETERS, 
JJ., concur. 
DONNELLY, J., not participating. 
_________________