Court Opinion

ID: 2690861
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-01 20:53:47.430857+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:54:25.621958
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Hardy, 131 Ohio St.3d 1227, 2012-Ohio-1591.]

                     CINCINNATI BAR ASSOCIATION v. HARDY.
                       [Cite as Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Hardy,
                       131 Ohio St.3d 1227, 2012-Ohio-1591.]
     (No. 2012-0029—Submitted March 21, 2012—Decided March 30, 2012.)
                  ON MOTION TO HOLD RESPONDENT IN CONTEMPT.
                                 __________________
        {¶ 1} This matter is before the court upon the filing by movant,
Cincinnati Bar Association, of a motion to hold respondent in contempt for failing
to obey an order issued by a Master Commissioner of the Board of
Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline. On February 29, 2012, this court
issued an order for respondent, Kathleen Suzanne Hardy, to appear before the
court on March 21, 2012. Respondent did not appear as ordered.
        {¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof, it is ordered by this court that the
motion is granted.        Respondent, Kathleen Hardy, Attorney Registration No.
0067060, last known business address in Cincinnati, Ohio, is found in contempt.
Respondent is hereby suspended from the practice of law in Ohio until proof is
filed with this court that respondent has complied with the master commissioner’s
order to undergo a psychiatric examination.
        {¶ 3} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist
from the practice of law in any form and 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
or advise or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner perform such
services.
                              SUPREME COURT OF OHIO

       {¶ 5} It is further ordered that respondent is hereby divested of each,
any, and all 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 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 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 complies with this and all other
orders of the court, and (4) this court orders respondent reinstated.
       {¶ 9} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this
order, respondent shall:
       {¶ 10} 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,

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                                  January Term, 2012

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;
        {¶ 11} 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;
        {¶ 12} 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;
        {¶ 13} 4. Notify opposing counsel in pending litigation or, in the absence
of counsel, the adverse parties, 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;
        {¶ 14} 5. Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent;
        {¶ 15} 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
respondent may receive communications; and
        {¶ 16} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by
respondent pursuant to this order.
        {¶ 17} It is further ordered that until such time as respondent fully
complies with this order, respondent shall keep the clerk, the Cincinnati Bar
Association, and disciplinary counsel advised of any change of address where
respondent may receive communications.

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                             SUPREME COURT OF OHIO

       {¶ 18} 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.
       {¶ 19} 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, LUNDBERG STRATTON, O’DONNELL,
LANZINGER, CUPP, and MCGEE BROWN, JJ., concur.
                            ______________________

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