[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Speights, 2018-Ohio-4236.]

DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. SPEIGHTS. 

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Speights, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 

2018-Ohio-4236.] 

 (No. 2018-1287—Submitted October 18, 2018—Decided October 22, 2018.) 

ON CERTIFIED ORDER of District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 

No. 17-BG-1091 

__________________ 

{¶ 1} This cause is pending before the Supreme Court of Ohio in 

accordance with the reciprocal-discipline provisions of Gov.Bar R. V(20). 

{¶ 2} On September 12, 2018, relator, disciplinary counsel, filed with this 

court a certified copy of an order of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals 

entered July 26, 2018, in In re Nathaniel H. Speights, case No. 17-BG-1091, 

suspending respondent from the practice of law for two years and requiring him to 

prove fitness before reinstatement. On September 14, 2018, this court ordered 

respondent to show cause why identical or comparable discipline should not be 

imposed in this state. No objections were filed, and this cause was considered by 

the court. 

{¶ 3} On consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court 

that, pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(20)(B), respondent, Nathaniel Henry Speights, 

Attorney Registration No. 0016747, last known business address in Washington, 

District of Columbia, is suspended from the practice of law for two years. It is 

further ordered that respondent will not be reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio 

until such time as respondent is reinstated to the practice of law in the District of 

Columbia. 

{¶ 4} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist 

from the practice of law in any form and is forbidden to appear on behalf of another 
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before any court, judge, commission, board, administrative agency, or other public 

authority. 

{¶ 5} It is further ordered that respondent is forbidden to counsel, advise, 

or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner perform legal services for 

others. 

{¶ 6} It is further ordered that respondent is 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. 

{¶ 7} 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. 

{¶ 8} 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. 

{¶ 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 against 

respondent 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. VIII(7)(F), respondent shall reimburse that amount to the 

Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection within 90 days of the notice of that award. 
January Term, 2018

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{¶ 10} 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 Government 

of the Bar of Ohio, (3) respondent files evidence with the clerk of this court and 

with disciplinary counsel demonstrating his reinstatement to the practice of law in 

the District of Columbia, (4) respondent complies with this and all other orders 

issued by this court, and (5) this court orders respondent reinstated. 

{¶ 11} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this 

order, respondent shall do the following: 

{¶ 12} 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 services elsewhere, calling attention to any urgency 

in seeking the substitution of another attorney in respondent’s place; 

{¶ 13} 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 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; 

{¶ 14} 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; 

{¶ 15} 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; 
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{¶ 16} 5. Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a 

return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent; 

{¶ 17} 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 

{¶ 18} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by 

respondent pursuant to this order. 

{¶ 19} It is further ordered that until such time as respondent fully complies 

with this order, respondent shall keep the clerk and disciplinary counsel advised of 

any change of address where respondent may receive communications. 

{¶ 20} It is further ordered 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. All case documents are subject to Sup.R. 44 through 47, which govern 

access to court records. 

{¶ 21} It is further ordered 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. 

{¶ 22} 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)(D)(1) and that publication be 

made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(D)(2). 

O’CONNOR, C.J., and O’DONNELL, KENNEDY, FRENCH, FISCHER, DEWINE,

and DEGENARO, JJ., concur. 

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