Thanks for visiting! Welcome to a new way to research case law. You are viewing a free summary from Descrybe.ai. For citation and good law / bad law checking, legal issue analysis, and other advanced tools, explore our Legal Research Toolkit — not free, but close.
In re Spitz
Citations: 126 Ohio St. 3d 1529; 931 N.E.2d 589Docket: 2010-1392
Court: Ohio Supreme Court; August 11, 2010; Ohio; State Supreme Court
On August 9, 2010, the Supreme Court of Ohio received a certification from the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline regarding Gregory G. Spitz, an attorney, who was convicted of a felony. Consequently, Spitz is suspended from practicing law indefinitely, effective immediately. He is prohibited from representing others in any legal capacity and must cease all legal services, including advising and preparing legal documents. Additionally, he loses all rights associated with being a member of the Ohio legal profession. Before entering any employment with an attorney or law firm, Spitz must ensure compliance with specific registration requirements. If he does secure employment, he must avoid direct client contact and handling client trust funds. Spitz is required to complete one hour of continuing legal education for each month of suspension, including specific training on professional conduct. Reinstatement to the practice of law will only occur after fulfilling all requirements set by the Supreme Court and the rules governing the Bar. Lastly, Spitz must reimburse any funds awarded by the Clients’ Security Fund within 90 days, and he is responsible for any future awards against him by the Fund. Respondent is ordered to take several actions within 30 days of the order's date: 1. Notify all clients in pending matters and co-counsel about their suspension and disqualification, advising clients to seek alternative legal representation urgently if there is no co-counsel. 2. Deliver any relevant papers or property to clients or inform them of where they can obtain these items, emphasizing the urgency of retrieval. 3. Refund any unearned fees or expenses paid in advance and account for any trust money or property in their possession. 4. Inform opposing counsel or adverse parties of their disqualification and file a notice of disqualification with the relevant court or agency. 5. Send all required notices via certified mail, including a return address for future communications. 6. File an affidavit with the Clerk and Disciplinary Counsel evidencing compliance, including proof of service of the required notices and a communication address. 7. Maintain a record of compliance actions taken. Additionally, the Clerk, Cincinnati Bar Association, and Disciplinary Counsel must be informed of any address changes. All filings must adhere to the Supreme Court of Ohio's Rules of Practice and are subject to the Rules 44-47 governing access to court records. Service of the order will be considered complete by sending it to the respondent's last known address. The Clerk is instructed to issue certified copies of the order and ensure publication at the respondent's expense, as mandated by Gov.Bar R. V(8)(D).