Disciplinary Counsel v. Andrews

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Andrews, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2024-Ohio-87.]

DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. ANDREWS.

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Andrews, ___ Ohio St.3d ___, 2024-Ohio-87.]

(No. 2023-0974—Submitted January 9, 2024—Decided January 12, 2024.)

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 August 4, 2023. On August 31, 2023, this

court imposed an interim default suspension upon respondent, Amanda Ann-

Carmen Andrews, 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, Amanda Ann-Carmen Andrews,

Attorney Registration No. 0088814, last known business address in Port Clinton,

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.

{¶ 10} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this

order, respondent shall do the following:

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January Term, 2024

{¶ 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).

KENNEDY, C.J., and FISCHER, DEWINE, DONNELLY, STEWART, BRUNNER,

and DETERS, JJ., concur.

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