[Cite as In re Ruffin, 2014-Ohio-5420.]

IN RE RUFFIN. 

[Cite as In re Ruffin, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2014-Ohio-5420.] 

(No. 2014-2093—Submitted December 9, 2014—Decided December 11, 2014.) 

ON CERTIFIED ENTRY OF DEFAULT OF CHILD-SUPPORT ORDER. 

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{¶ 1} On December 5, 2014, and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A), the 

Secretary of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the 

Supreme Court of Ohio submitted to this court a certified copy of a determination 

of default of a child-support order by Sean P. Ruffin, an attorney licensed to 

practice law in the state of Ohio. 

{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 

V(5)(A)(4), it is ordered and decreed that Sean P. Ruffin, Attorney Registration 

No. 0069002, last known business address in Canton, Ohio, is suspended from the 

practice of law for an interim period, effective as of the date of this entry. 

{¶ 3} It is further ordered that this matter be, and hereby is, referred to 

disciplinary counsel for investigation and commencement of disciplinary 

proceedings. 

{¶ 4} It is further ordered that Sean P. Ruffin immediately cease and 

desist from the practice of law in any form and that respondent is forbidden to 

appear on behalf of another before any court, judge, commission, board, 

administrative agency, or other public authority. 

{¶ 5} It is further ordered that effective immediately, respondent is 

forbidden to counsel, advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any 

manner perform legal services for others. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO

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{¶ 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(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. 

{¶ 8} It is further ordered that respondent shall not be reinstated to the 

practice of law until (1) the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 

Discipline files in accordance with Gov.Bar R. V(5)(D)(1)(b) with the Supreme 

Court a certified copy of a judgment entry reversing the determination of default 

under a child-support order, or it files in accordance with Gov.Bar R. 

V(5)(D)(1)(c) with the Supreme Court a notice from a court or child-supportenforcement agency that respondent is no longer in default under a child-support 

order or is subject to a withholding or deduction notice or a new or modified 

child-support order to collect current support or any arrearage due under the childsupport order that was in default and is complying with that notice or order, and 

(2) this court orders respondent reinstated to the practice of law. 

{¶ 9} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk and 

disciplinary counsel advised of any change of address where respondent may 

receive communications. 

{¶ 10} 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 
January Term, 2014 

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timeliness of filings. All case documents are subject to Sup.R. 44 through 47, 

which govern access to court records. 

{¶ 11} 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. 

{¶ 12} 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. 

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