Corporate Unauthorized Practice Draws Suspension

An attorney who had served as chief legal officer for a corporation in Ohio practiced law for six years while his license was suspended.

The 2005 suspension involved his failure to register as an attorney and he has never been reinstated.

Although he never signed pleadings or appeared in court, he held himself out as authorized to practice law. He drafted and negotiated contracts and advised the corporation on human resources matters.

The court noted mitigating factors that included extensive charitable endeavors.

The Ohio Supreme Court ordered a disciplinary suspension of two years, with six months stayed on conditions that require him to pay back registration fees and apply for reinstatement.