Lorain Cty. Bar Assn. v. Vagotis

[Cite as Lorain Cty. Bar Assn. v. Vagotis, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2021-Ohio-2756.]

LORAIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION v. VAGOTIS.

[Cite as Lorain Cty. Bar Assn. v. Vagotis, ___ Ohio St.3d ___,

2021-Ohio-2756.]

(No. 2020-1193—Submitted July 6, 2021—Decided August 12, 2021.)

ON ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

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{¶ 1} On March 18, 2021, this court publicly reprimanded respondent,

Christina Nicole Vagotis, and ordered respondent to pay board costs in the

amount of $572.97. Respondent has not paid board costs in the amount of

$572.97 as ordered by the court. On July 6, 2021, this court issued an order to

show cause why respondent should not be found in contempt and suspended for

failure to pay board costs. Respondent did not file a response to the show cause

order.

{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court

that respondent, Christina Nicole Vagotis, Attorney Registration No. 0096246,

last known address in Elyria, Ohio, is found in contempt for failure to comply

with the court’s March 18, 2021 order.

{¶ 3} It is further ordered that respondent is suspended from the practice

of law until respondent pays board costs in the amount of $572.97 and all interest

due, has applied for reinstatement, and has been granted reinstatement by this

court.

{¶ 4} 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

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Gov.Bar R. V(23)(A)(1) and from receiving, disbursing, or otherwise handling

any client trust funds or property.

{¶ 5} 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.

{¶ 6} It is further ordered that respondent shall not be reinstated to the

practice of law in Ohio until (1) respondent pays the board costs, including any

and all accrued interest, (2) respondent complies with the requirements for

reinstatement set forth in the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar

of Ohio, (3) respondent complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the

Government of the Bar of Ohio, (4) respondent complies with this and all other

orders of the court, and (5) this court orders respondent reinstated.

{¶ 7} It is further ordered that respondent shall immediately do the

following:

{¶ 8} 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;

{¶ 9} 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;

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January Term, 2021

{¶ 10} 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;

{¶ 11} 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;

{¶ 12} 5. Send all notices required by this order by certified mail with a

return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent;

{¶ 13} 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

{¶ 14} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by

respondent pursuant to this order.

{¶ 15} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk, the Lorain

County Bar Association, and disciplinary counsel advised of any change of

address where respondent may receive communications.

{¶ 16} 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.

{¶ 17} It is further ordered that service shall be deemed made on

respondent by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, by certified

mail to respondent’s last known address.

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{¶ 18} 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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