[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Armstrong, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2021-Ohio-1219.] 

DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. ARMSTRONG. 

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

2021-Ohio-1219.] 

Attorneys at law—Reciprocal discipline from the Supreme Court of Arizona—

Suspension from the practice of law with reinstatement conditioned on 

reinstatement by the Supreme Court of Arizona—Gov.Bar R. V(11)(F)(4). 

(No. 2021-0260—Submitted April 9, 2021—Decided April 12, 2021.) 

ON CERTIFIED ORDER of the Supreme Court of Arizona, No. PDJ 2019-9095. 

__________________ 

{¶ 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 March 2, 2021, relator, disciplinary counsel, filed with this court 

a certified copy of an order of the Supreme Court of Arizona entered April 17, 2020, 

in In the Matter of a Member of the State Bar of Arizona, James Patrick Armstrong, 

in case No. PDJ 2019-9095, suspending respondent for a period of 90 days and 

imposing other sanctions upon respondent. On March 3, 2021, 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)(C), respondent, James Patrick Armstrong, Attorney 

Registration No. 0065699, last known business address in La Jolla, California, is 

suspended from the practice of law for a period of 90 days and 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 state of Arizona and demonstrates that he has 

complied with that court’s April 17, 2020 order. 
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{¶ 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 

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 
January Term, 2021 

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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. 

{¶ 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 

Arizona, (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 

cocounsel of respondent’s suspension and consequent disqualification to act as an 

attorney after the effective date of this order and, in the absence of cocounsel, 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 cocounsel, 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 
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respondent with the court or agency before which the litigation is pending for 

inclusion in the respective file or files; 

{¶ 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 service shall be deemed made on respondent 

by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, to respondent’s last known 

address. 

{¶ 21} 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)(E)(1) and that publication be 

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

O’CONNOR, C.J., and KENNEDY, FISCHER, DEWINE, DONNELLY, STEWART,

and BRUNNER, JJ., concur. 

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