Title: Trumbull Cty. Bar Assn. v. Joseph

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Trumbull Cty. Bar Assn. v. Joseph, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2014-Ohio-915.] 
 
 
TRUMBULL COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION v. JOSEPH. 
[Cite as Trumbull Cty. Bar Assn. v. Joseph, ___ Ohio St.3d ___,  
2014-Ohio-915.] 
(No. 2013-0896—Submitted February 26, 2014—Decided March 17, 2014.) 
ON CERTIFICATION OF DEFAULT. 
____________________ 
{¶ 1} The Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the 
Supreme Court of Ohio filed a certification of default in the office of the clerk of 
this court.  On July 8, 2013, this court imposed an interim default-judgment 
suspension upon respondent, Michael Dennis Joseph, pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(6a)(B)(1).  Respondent was ordered to show cause why the interim default-
judgment suspension should not be converted into an indefinite suspension.  
Respondent filed no objections, and this cause was considered by the court. 
{¶ 2} On consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court 
that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(6a)(E)(1), respondent, Michael Dennis Joseph, 
Attorney Registration No. 0025086, last known business address in Niles, Ohio, is 
indefinitely suspended from the practice of law. 
{¶ 3} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist 
from the practice of law in any form and that he 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 respondent is hereby forbidden to counsel, 
advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner perform such 
services. 
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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(8)(G)(3).  If employed pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 
V(8)(G), respondent shall refrain from direct client contact except as provided in 
Gov.Bar R. V(8)(G)(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(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 the instruction related to professional conduct 
required by Gov.Bar R. X(3)(A)(1) for each six months, or portion of six months, 
of the suspension. 
{¶ 8} 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 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 respondent 
pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F), respondent shall reimburse that amount to the 
Clients’ Security Fund within 90 days of the notice of that award. 
{¶ 9} 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 the Supreme Court Rules for the 
January Term, 2014 
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Government of the Bar of Ohio, (3) respondent complies with this and all other 
orders of the court, and (4) this court orders respondent reinstated. 
{¶ 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 
co-counsel of respondent’s suspension and 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 respondent’s place;  
{¶ 12} 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;  
{¶ 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 the 
possession or control of respondent;  
{¶ 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 the 
respondent may receive communications; and 
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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 until such time as respondent fully 
complies with this order, respondent shall keep the clerk, the Trumbull County 
Bar Association, and disciplinary counsel advised of any change of address where 
respondent may receive communications. 
{¶ 19} 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, to 
respondent’s last known address. 
{¶ 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(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. 
O’CONNOR, C.J., and PFEIFER, O’DONNELL, LANZINGER, KENNEDY, 
FRENCH, and O’NEILL, JJ., concur. 
________________________