Ohio Gov. Bar. R. 18

As amended through October 15, 2024

Section 18 - Records and Proceedings Public

(A)Show cause order

After the filing of a final report of the Board, the Supreme Court shall issue to the parties an order to show cause why the report of the Board shall not be confirmed and an appropriate order granted. Notice of the order to show cause shall be served by the Clerk of the Court on the respondent at the address provided in the Board's report by certified mail and ordinary mail with a certificate of mailing and on all parties and counsel of record by certified mail or electronic service address.

(B)Response to show cause order

Within twenty days after the issuance of an order to show cause, the respondent or relator may file objections to the findings or recommendations of the Board and to the entry of an order or to the confirmation of the report on which the order to show cause was issued. The objections shall be accompanied by a brief in support of the objections and proof of service of copies of the objections and the brief on the secretary and all counsel of record. Objections and briefs shall be filed in the number and form by the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

(C)Answer briefs

Answer briefs and proof of service shall be filed within fifteen days after briefs in support of objections have been filed. All briefs shall be filed in the number and form required for original actions by the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, to the extent such rules are applicable.

(D)Supreme Court proceedings

(1) After a hearing on objections, or if objections are not filed within the prescribed time, the Court shall enter an order as it finds proper. If the Court finds that respondent's conduct constituted the unauthorized practice of law, the Court shall issue an order that does one or more of the following:

(a) Prohibits the respondent from engaging in any such conduct in the future;

(b) Requires the respondent to reimburse the costs and expenses incurred by the Board and the relator pursuant to this rule;

(c) Imposes a civil penalty on the respondent. The civil penalty may be imposed regardless of whether the Board recommended imposition of the penalty pursuant to Section 16(B) of this rule and may be imposed for an amount greater or less than the amount recommended by the Board, but not to exceed ten thousand dollars per offense.

(2) Payment for costs, expenses, sanctions, and penalties imposed under this rule shall be deposited in the Attorney Services Fund established under Gov. Bar R. VI, Section 8.

(E)Notice

Upon the entry of any order pursuant to this rule, the Clerk of the Court shall mail certified copies of the entry to all parties and counsel of record, the Board, Disciplinary Counsel, and the Ohio State Bar Association. Notice may be served on counsel of record, the Board, Disciplinary Counsel, and the Ohio State Bar Association at their electronic service address or published electronic address.

(F)Publication

The Supreme Court reporter shall publish any order entered by the Supreme Court under this rule in the Ohio Official Reports, the Ohio State Bar Association Report.

Ohio. Gov. Bar. R. 18

Amended April 27, 2021, effective 7/1/2021