Title: In re James

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

IN RE JAMES. 
[Cite as In re James (1997), ___ Ohio St.3d ___.] 
 
(No. 97-1348 — Submitted August 26, 1997 — Decided September 5, 
1997.) 
 
On June 30, 1997, and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A)(3), the Secretary of 
the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the Supreme Court 
certified to the Supreme Court a certified copy of a judgment entry of a felony 
conviction against Aaron James, a.k.a. Aaron Nathaniel James, an attorney 
licensed to practice law in the state of Ohio. 
 
Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A)(4), it is 
ordered and decreed that Aaron James, a.k.a. Aaron Nathaniel James, Attorney 
Registration No. 0039988, last known address in Columbus, Ohio, be, and hereby 
is, suspended from the practice of law for an interim period, effective as of the 
date of this entry. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this matter be, and is hereby, referred to 
the Columbus Bar Association for investigation and commencement of 
disciplinary proceedings. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Aaron James, a.k.a. Aaron Nathaniel 
James, immediately cease and desist from the practice of law in any form and is 
hereby forbidden to appear on behalf of another before any court, judge, 
commission, board, administrative agency, or other public authority. 
 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, effective immediately, he be forbidden 
to counsel or advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner 
perform legal services for others. 
 
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IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that he 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. 
 
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 instruction related to ethics and professional 
responsibility, including instruction on substance abuse, for each six months, or 
portion of six months, of the suspension. 
 
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. 
 
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 by the Clients' Security Fund pursuant to 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 on or before thirty days from the date of 
this order, respondent shall: 
 
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1. 
Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and any co-
counsel of his suspension 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 him, 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; 
 
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 his 
possession or control; 
 
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. 
 
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IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that 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., not participating.