In re Crosby
Docket: 2010-1848
Court: Ohio Supreme Court; November 1, 2010; Ohio; State Supreme Court
On October 27, 2010, the secretary of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the Supreme Court of Ohio certified a felony conviction against attorney William Matthew Crosby, Attorney Registration No. 0002451. Consequently, Crosby is suspended from practicing law in Ohio for an interim period, effective immediately. He is ordered to cease all legal practice, including representing others in court, advising clients, or preparing legal documents. Crosby is stripped of all rights and privileges associated with being a member in good standing of the Ohio legal profession. Before entering into any employment or consulting relationships with attorneys or law firms, Crosby must verify their compliance with registration requirements. If he is employed in accordance with specific regulations, he must limit client contact and avoid handling client trust funds. Additionally, Crosby is required to complete one credit hour of continuing legal education each month of his suspension, with specific courses on professional conduct. Crosby cannot be reinstated until he meets all reinstatement requirements set forth in the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio and adheres to all court orders. He must also reimburse any amounts awarded by the Clients’ Security Fund within 90 days of the court's order or any subsequent awards against him. Respondent is ordered to complete several actions within 30 days from the date of this order due to their suspension and disqualification from practicing law. These actions include: 1. Notifying all clients and co-counsel of the suspension and advising clients to seek alternative legal representation if necessary. 2. Delivering all pertinent documents or property to clients or notifying them/co-counsel of arrangements to obtain such items, emphasizing urgency. 3. Refunding any unearned fees or expenses and accounting for any trust funds in respondent’s possession. 4. Informing opposing counsel or adverse parties of the disqualification and filing a notice of disqualification with the relevant court or agency. 5. Sending all required notices via certified mail with a return address for future communications. 6. Filing an affidavit with the court clerk and Disciplinary Counsel confirming compliance with these requirements and providing an address for communication. 7. Maintaining a record of all actions taken in accordance with this order. Respondent must also keep the Clerk and Disciplinary Counsel updated on any changes to their communication address. Additionally, all documents filed in this case must comply with the Supreme Court of Ohio's filing requirements, and service of this order will be considered effective when sent to the respondent's last known address. The Clerk is instructed to issue certified copies of this order and arrange for publication at the respondent’s expense.