Disciplinary Counsel v. Duff

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Duff, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2022-Ohio-3837.]
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. DUFF.
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Duff, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2022-Ohio-3837.]
(No. 2022-0563—Submitted October 25, 2022—Decided October 28, 2022.)
ON CERTIFICATION OF DEFAULT.
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{¶ 1} The Board of Professional Conduct filed a certification of default in
the office of the clerk of this court on May 11, 2022. On June 6, 2022, this court
imposed an interim default suspension upon respondent, Michael James Duff,
pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(14)(B)(1). The parties were ordered to show cause why
the interim default suspension should not be converted into an indefinite
suspension. No objections were filed, and this cause was considered by the court.
{¶ 2} On consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court
that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(14)(E)(1), respondent, Michael James Duff,
Attorney Registration No. 0015329, last known address in Lorain, Ohio, is
indefinitely suspended from the practice of law.
{¶ 3} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist
from the practice of law in any form and that respondent 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,
advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any manner perform legal
services for others.
{¶ 5} It is further ordered that respondent is hereby 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.
SUPREME COURT 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 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 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.
{¶ 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 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.
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January Term, 2022
{¶ 10} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this
order, respondent shall do the following:
{¶ 11} 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;
{¶ 12} 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;
{¶ 13} 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;
{¶ 14} 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;
{¶ 15} 5. Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent;
{¶ 16} 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
{¶ 17} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by
respondent pursuant to this order.
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SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
{¶ 18} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk and
disciplinary counsel advised of any change of address where respondent may
receive communications.
{¶ 19} 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.
{¶ 20} 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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