In re Resignation of Pignatelli

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[Cite as In re Resignation of Pignatelli, 128 Ohio St.3d 1227, 2011-Ohio-2675.] IN RE RESIGNATION OF PIGNATELLI. [Cite as In re Resignation of Pignatelli, 128 Ohio St.3d 1227, 2011-Ohio-2675.] Attorneys at law Resignation with disciplinary action pending Gov.Bar R. VI(6)(C). (No. 2011-0598 Submitted May 10, 2011 Decided May 19, 2011.) ON APPLICATION FOR RETIREMENT OR RESIGNATION PURSUANT TO GOV.BAR R. VI(6). __________________ {¶ 1} Francis Michael Pignatelli, Attorney Registration No. 0040933, last known business address in Akron, Ohio, who was admitted to the bar of this State on November 7, 1988, submitted an Application for Retirement or Resignation pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VI(6). The application was referred to Disciplinary Counsel pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VI(6)(B). On April 13, 2011, the Office of Attorney Services filed Disciplinary Counsel s report, under seal, with this court in accordance with Gov.Bar R. VI(6)(B)(2). {¶ 2} On consideration thereof, it is ordered by the court that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VI(6)(C) the resignation as an attorney and counselor at law is accepted as a resignation with disciplinary action pending. {¶ 3} It is further ordered and adjudged that from and after this date all rights and privileges extended to respondent to practice law in the state of Ohio be withdrawn, that henceforth respondent shall cease to hold himself forth as an attorney authorized to appear in the courts of this state, and that respondent shall not attempt, either directly or indirectly, to render services as an attorney or counselor at law to or for any individuals, corporation, or society or in any way perform or seek to perform services for anyone, no matter how constituted, that SUPREME COURT OF OHIO must, by law, be executed by a duly appointed and qualified attorney within the state of Ohio. {¶ 4} It is further ordered that respondent desist and refrain from the practice of law in any form, either as principal or agent or clerk or employee of another, and hereby is forbidden to appear in the state of Ohio as an attorney and counselor at law before any court, judge, board, commission, or other public authority, and hereby is forbidden to give another an opinion as to the law or its application or advise with relation thereto. {¶ 5} 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(8)(G)(3). If employed pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(8)(G), respondent shall refrain from direct client contact except as provided in Gov.Bar R. V(8)(G)(1) and from receiving, disbursing, or otherwise handling any client trust funds or property. {¶ 6} It is further ordered that respondent shall not enter into an employment, contractual, or consulting relationship with an attorney or law firm with which the respondent was associated as a partner, shareholder, member, or employee at the time respondent engaged in the misconduct that resulted in this acceptance of respondent s resignation with discipline pending. {¶ 7} It is further ordered that respondent surrender respondent's certificate of admission to practice to the Clerk of the court on or before 30 days from the date of this order, and that respondent's name be stricken from the roll of attorneys maintained by this court. {¶ 8} It is further ordered, sua sponte, 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 Clients' Security Fund pursuant to Gov.Bar R. 2 January Term, 2011 VIII(7)(F). It is further ordered, sua sponte, by the court that if, after the date of this order, the Clients' Security Fund awards any amount against respondent pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F), respondent shall reimburse that amount to the Clients' Security Fund within 90 days of the notice of such award. {¶ 9} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this order, respondent shall: {¶ 10} 1. Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and any co-counsel of respondent's resignation and consequent disqualification to act as an attorney after the effective date of this order and, in the absence of co-counsel, also notify the clients to seek legal service elsewhere, calling attention to any urgency in seeking the substitution of another attorney in respondent's place; {¶ 11} 2. Regardless of any fees or expenses due respondent, deliver to all clients being represented in pending matters any papers or other property pertaining to the client, or notify the clients or co-counsel, 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; {¶ 12} 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; {¶ 13} 4. Notify opposing counsel in pending litigation or, in the absence of counsel, the adverse parties 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; {¶ 14} 5. Send all such notices required by this order by certified mail with a return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent; 3 SUPREME COURT OF OHIO {¶ 15} 6. File with the Clerk of this court and the Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court an affidavit showing compliance with this order, showing proof of service of notices required herein, and setting forth the address where the affiant may receive communications; and {¶ 16} 7. Retain and maintain a record of the various steps taken by respondent pursuant to this order. {¶ 17} It is further ordered that until such time as respondent fully complies with this order, respondent shall keep the Clerk and the Disciplinary Counsel advised of any change of address where respondent may receive communications. {¶ 18} It is further ordered, sua sponte, 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 Rules 44 through 47 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, which govern access to court records. {¶ 19} It is further ordered, sua sponte, 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(8)(D)(1), that publication be made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(8)(D)(2), and that respondent bear the costs of publication. O CONNOR, C.J., and PFEIFER, LUNDBERG STRATTON, O DONNELL, LANZINGER, CUPP, and MCGEE BROWN, JJ., concur. ______________________ 4

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