Court Opinion

ID: 4393191
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-05-02 13:39:41.248178+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:23:52.624625
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Grego, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2019-Ohio-1632.]

                         DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. GREGO.
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Grego, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2019-Ohio-1632.]
          (No. 2019-0299—Submitted ___, 2019—Decided May 2, 2019.)
                  ON MOTION TO HOLD RESPONDENT IN CONTEMPT.
                                ____________________
        {¶ 1} This matter is before the court upon the filing by movant,
disciplinary counsel, of a motion to hold respondent, Lisa Ann Grego, in
contempt for failing to comply with a January 28, 2019 order issued by a panel
chair of the Board of Professional Conduct ordering respondent to undergo a
psychiatric examination. On March 14, 2019, the court ordered respondent to
show cause why she should not be held in contempt. Respondent filed a response
on March 15, 2019.
        {¶ 2} On consideration thereof, it is ordered by this court that the motion
is granted. Respondent, Lisa Ann Grego, Attorney Registration No. 0063540, last
known address in Bowling Green, Ohio, is found in contempt. It is further
ordered that respondent is suspended from the practice of law in Ohio until proof
is filed with this court that respondent has complied with the panel chair’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 that respondent is 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 effective immediately, respondent is
forbidden to counsel, advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any
manner perform legal services for others.
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       {¶ 5} 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.
       {¶ 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(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.
       {¶ 7} 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.
       {¶ 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 this and all other orders issued by this
court, (3) respondent complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the Government
of the Bar of Ohio, 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 do the following:
       {¶ 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, 2019

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;
        {¶ 11} 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;
        {¶ 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 respondent's
possession or control;
        {¶ 13} 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;
        {¶ 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 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
affiant 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 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 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(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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