Title: In re Resignation of Lewis

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as In re Resignation of Lewis, 98 Ohio St.3d 1215, 2003-Ohio-2018.] 
 
 
IN RE RESIGNATION OF LEWIS, F.K.A. BUSSINGER. 
[Cite as In re Resignation of Lewis, 98 Ohio St.3d 1215, 2003-Ohio-2018.] 
Attorneys at law — Resignation with disciplinary action pending — Gov.Bar R. 
V(11)(G)(3). 
(No. 2003-0322 — Submitted March 26, 2003 — Decided April 8, 2003.) 
ON AFFIDAVIT OF RESIGNATION and AUTHORIZATION and RELEASE PURSUANT TO 
GOV.BAR R. V(11)(G)(1). 
__________________ 
{¶1} 
On February 14, 2003, respondent, Harry Donal Lewis, f.k.a. 
Harry Donald Bussinger, Attorney Registration No. 0034332, last known business 
address in Columbus, Ohio, who was admitted to the bar of this state on the 12th 
day of November, 1986, 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 February 27, 2003, Disciplinary Counsel filed under seal his 
report with this court in accordance with Gov.Bar R. V(11)(G)(2).  Upon 
consideration thereof, 
{¶2} 
IT IS ORDERED by the court that pursuant to Gov.Bar. R. 
V(11)(G)(3), Harry Donal Lewis’s, f.k.a. Harry Donald Bussinger’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, ordered cancelled and that the name of Harry 
Donal Lewis, f.k.a. Harry Donald Bussinger, be stricken from the roll of attorneys 
of this court. 
{¶3} 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that from and 
after this date all rights and privileges extended to Harry Donal Lewis, f.k.a. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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Harry Donald Bussinger, to practice law in the state of Ohio be withdrawn; that 
henceforth Harry Donal Lewis, f.k.a. Harry Donald Bussinger, 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, 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. 
{¶4} 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Harry Donal Lewis, f.k.a. Harry 
Donald Bussinger, 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, sua sponte, by the court, that within 
90 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 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 90 days of the notice of such 
award. 
{¶6} 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the respondent, Harry Donal 
Lewis, f.k.a. Harry Donald Bussinger, surrender his certificate of admission to 
practice to the Clerk of this court on or before 30 days from the date of this order. 
{¶7} 
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before 30 days from the 
date of this order, respondent shall: 
January Term, 2003 
3 
{¶8} 
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; 
{¶9} 
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; 
{¶10} 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; 
{¶11} 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; 
{¶12} 5. 
Send all such notices required by this order by certified 
mail with a return address where communications may thereafter be directed to 
respondent; 
{¶13} 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 
{¶14} 7. 
Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 
respondent pursuant to this order. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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{¶15} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that on or before 30 days from the 
date of this order, respondent surrender his attorney registration card for the 
2001/2003 biennium. 
{¶16} 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. 
{¶17} 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. 
{¶18} 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. 
{¶19} 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., RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK, LUNDBERG 
STRATTON and O’CONNOR, JJ., concur. 
__________________