Butler Cnty. Bar Ass'n Certified Grievance Comm. v. Blauvelt

• Decision Date: 25 September 2020
• Docket Number: No. 2020-1125,2020-1125
• Citation: 159 N.E.3d 1198 (Mem),160 Ohio St.3d 1287
• Parties: BUTLER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION CERTIFIED GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE v. BLAUVELT.
• Court: Ohio Supreme Court

160 Ohio St.3d 1287

159 N.E.3d 1198 (Mem)

BUTLER COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION CERTIFIED GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE

v.BLAUVELT.

No. 2020-1125

Supreme Court of Ohio.

Submitted September 17, 2020

Decided September 25, 2020

{¶ 1} On September 17, 2020, and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(19)(A)(1)(b), relator, Butler County Bar Association Certified Grievance Committee, filed with this court a motion for immediate interim remedial suspension, alleging that respondent, Scott Blauvelt, has engaged in conduct that violates the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct and poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the public. This matter was considered by the court.

{¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(19)(B), it is ordered and decreed that an interim remedial suspension is immediately entered against Scott Blauvelt, Attorney Registration No. 0068177, last known business address in Hamilton, Ohio, and that the suspension be effective as of the date of this entry, pending final disposition of disciplinary proceedings predicated on the conduct threatening the serious harm.

{¶ 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 effective immediately, respondent is 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.

{¶ 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 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 this and all other orders issued by this court, (3) respondent complies with the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, and (4) this court orders respondent reinstated.

{¶ 9} 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 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.

{¶ 10} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this order, respondent shall do the following:

{¶ 11} 1. Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and any cocounsel of respondent's suspension and consequent disqualification to act as an...