Court Opinion

ID: 9901123
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-21 14:07:35.843098+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:21:26.700904
License: Public Domain

[Cite as In re Saunders, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2023-Ohio-4186.]

                                    IN RE SAUNDERS.
         [Cite as In re Saunders, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2023-Ohio-4186.]
(No. 2023-1481—Submitted November 20, 2023—Decided November 21, 2023.)
                   ON CERTIFIED ENTRY OF FELONY CONVICTION.
                                ____________________
        {¶ 1} On November 20, 2023, and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(18), the
director of the Board of Professional Conduct filed with the Supreme Court a
certified copy of a judgment entry of a felony conviction against James Dalton
Saunders, an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of Ohio.
        {¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(18)(A)(4),
it is ordered and decreed that respondent, James Dalton Saunders, Attorney
Registration No. 0067908, last known business address in Washington, District of
Columbia, 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 is referred to the Cleveland
Metropolitan Bar Association for investigation and the commencement of
disciplinary proceedings.
        {¶ 4} 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.
        {¶ 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

       {¶ 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 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.
       {¶ 10} 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 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 pursuant to Gov.Bar R.

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                                  January Term, 2023

VIII(7)(F), respondent shall reimburse that amount to the Lawyers’ Fund for Client
Protection within 90 days of the notice of that award.
        {¶ 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 respondent’s
possession or control;
        {¶ 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
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 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

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                              SUPREME COURT OF OHIO

        {¶ 18} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by
respondent pursuant to this order.
        {¶ 19} 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.
        {¶ 20} 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.
        {¶ 21} 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.
        {¶ 22} 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).
        KENNEDY, C.J., and FISCHER, DEWINE, DONNELLY, STEWART, and DETERS,
JJ., concur.
        BRUNNER, J., not participating.
                                _________________

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