[Cite as Cleveland Metro. Bar Assn. v. Thomas, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2018-Ohio-612.] 

CLEVELAND METROPOLITAN BAR ASSOCIATION v. THOMAS. 

[Cite as Cleveland Metro. Bar Assn. v. Thomas, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 

2018-Ohio-612.] 

(No. 2017-1730—Submitted January 11, 2019—Decided February 21, 2019.) 

ON ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE

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{¶ 1} On August 16, 2018, this court suspended respondent, Sam Thomas 

III, from the practice of law for a period of one year, with the entire suspension 

stayed on conditions, and ordered respondent to pay board costs in the amount of 

$3.37. Respondent has not paid board costs in the amount of $3.37 as ordered by 

the court. On January 11, 2019, this court issued an order to show cause why 

respondent should not be found in contempt and the stay of his suspension 

revoked for failure to pay board costs in the amount of $3.37. Respondent did not 

file a response to the show-cause order. 

{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court 

that respondent, Sam Thomas III, Attorney Registration No. 0067848, last known 

address in Euclid, Ohio, is found in contempt for failure to comply with the 

court’s August 16, 2018 suspension order. 

{¶ 3} It is further ordered that the previously imposed stay of the 

suspension is revoked and that respondent is suspended from the practice of law 

until respondent pays board costs in the amount of $3.37 and any interest due, has 

applied for reinstatement, and has been granted reinstatement by this court. 

{¶ 4} 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 
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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. 

{¶ 5} 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. 

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

practice of law in Ohio until (1) respondent pays the board costs, including any 

and all accrued interest, (2) respondent complies with the requirements for 

reinstatement set forth in the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar 

of Ohio, (3) respondent complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the 

Government of the Bar of Ohio, (4) respondent complies with this and all other 

orders of the court, and (5) this court orders respondent reinstated. 

{¶ 7} It is further ordered that respondent shall immediately do the 

following: 

{¶ 8} 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; 

{¶ 9} 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 
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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 respondent’s 

possession or control; 

{¶ 11} 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; 

{¶ 12} 5. Send all 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 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 

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

respondent pursuant to this order. 

{¶ 15} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk, the 

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and disciplinary counsel advised of any 

change of address where respondent may receive communications. 

{¶ 16} 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. 
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{¶ 17} It is further ordered that service shall be deemed made on 

respondent by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, by certified 

mail to respondent’s last known address. 

{¶ 18} 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 KENNEDY, FRENCH, FISCHER, DEWINE, DONNELLY,

and STEWART, JJ., concur. 

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