Title: Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Coats

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Coats, 98 Ohio St.3d 413, 2003-Ohio-1496.] 
 
 
CLEVELAND BAR ASSOCIATION v. COATS, D.B.A. PARAMOUNT PARALEGAL 
SERVICES. 
[Cite as Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Coats, 98 Ohio St.3d 413, 2003-Ohio-1496.] 
Unauthorized practice of law — Person not licensed to practice law in Ohio 
assisted others in their claims before the Ohio Bureau of Employment 
Services and appeared as their representative — Person not licensed to 
practice law in Ohio drafted divorce complaints and judgment entries for 
filing on behalf of pro se litigants — Engagement in the unauthorized 
practice of law enjoined. 
(No. 2002-2118 — Submitted February 12, 2003 — Decided April 9, 2003.) 
ON FINAL REPORT of the Board of Commissioners on the Unauthorized Practice 
of Law of the Supreme Court, No. UPL01-05. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam. 
{¶1} 
On two occasions since 1995, respondent, Andra Coats, d.b.a. 
Paramount Paralegal Services, assisted others in their claims before the Ohio 
Bureau of Employment Services and appeared as their representative.  He has also 
drafted divorce complaints and judgment entries for filing on behalf of pro se 
litigants.  Respondent has a college degree with a major in paralegal studies; 
however, he has never been licensed to practice law in Ohio, and he did not 
provide this representation under a licensed attorney’s supervision. 
{¶2} 
On July 9, 2001, relator, Cleveland Bar Association, filed a 
complaint charging respondent with having engaged in the unauthorized practice 
of law and sought to permanently enjoin this conduct.  Respondent was served 
with the complaint but did not answer.  He was also served notice of a December 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
19, 2001 hearing to be held before the Board of Commissioners on the 
Unauthorized Practice of Law, but he did not appear. 
{¶3} 
The board found, mainly on the basis of his testimony during an 
investigative deposition, that respondent’s filings, appearances, and preparation of 
documents, all of which were completed without a licensed attorney’s 
supervision, constituted the unauthorized practice of law.  As the board explained, 
“The unauthorized practice of law consists of rendering legal services for another 
by any person not admitted to practice in Ohio,” citing Gov.Bar R. VII(2)(A).  
Moreover, the practice of law includes conducting cases in court, preparing and 
filing legal pleadings and other papers, appearing in court cases, and managing 
actions and proceedings on behalf of clients before judges, whether before courts 
or administrative agencies.  Richland Cty. Bar Assn. v. Clapp (1998), 84 Ohio 
St.3d 276, 278, 703 N.E.2d 771; Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Estep (1995), 74 Ohio 
St.3d 172, 173, 657 N.E.2d 499.  Accord Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Picklo, 96 Ohio 
St.3d 195, 2002-Ohio-3995, 772 N.E.2d 1187, at ¶ 5. 
{¶4} 
The board recommended that we find that respondent engaged in 
the unauthorized practice of law, that we enjoin such conduct, and that we order 
the reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred by the board and relator.  We 
adopt, in the main, the board’s findings1 and its recommendation.  Accordingly, 
respondent is hereby enjoined from all further conduct on another’s behalf, 
whether it involves preparing a legal document, filing, or appearing before a 
tribunal, that constitutes the unauthorized practice of law.  All expenses and costs 
are taxed to respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
                                                 
1  The board also made a factual finding that respondent had represented clients in proceedings 
before the Social Security Administration.  We do not adopt this finding because relator 
abandoned this aspect of its case during the board hearing.   
January Term, 2003 
3 
 
MOYER, C.J., RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK, LUNDBERG 
STRATTON and O’CONNOR, JJ., concur. 
__________________ 
 
Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue and David Kutik; and Robert H. Gillespy II, 
for relator. 
__________________