Ohio Legal Ethics
Prepared By
Jones Day
and
Arthur F. Greenbaum
James W. Shocknessy Professor of Law
Ohio State University College of Law
This summary of the law of lawyering of Ohio has been prepared by Marc L. Swartzbaugh and Brian F. Toohey, of the firm of Jones Day, 901 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, and by Professor Arthur F. Greenbaum, The Ohio State University, College of Law, (614) 292-4160. Substantial portions of the summary have been excerpted and adapted from Professor Greenbaum's treatise, LAWYER'S GUIDE TO THE OHIO CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (Banks-Baldwin/West 1996). The summary is transmitted for informational purposes only and not for legal advice. Users should not act upon this information without seeking the professional advice of a lawyer in the applicable jurisdiction. An effort has been made to provide useful information, but the information is not necessarily complete, may be inaccurate, and may not reflect current legal developments. The provider does not warrant that the information is complete or accurate and disclaims all liability to any person for any loss caused by errors or omissions in the summary.
Suggestions for improvements or correction are welcome. Please send them to: Marc L. Swartzbaugh, Jones Day, 901 Lakeside Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, Tel: 216-586-7242, Fax: 216-579-0212, E-mail: mswartzbaugh@jonesday.com
Copyright in this narrative is held by Jones Day. Copyright in LAWYER'S GUIDE TO THE OHIO CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY is held by the Banks-Baldwin Law Publishing Company, a West Publishing Affiliated Company. Copyright in the full American Legal Ethics Library is held by Cornell University. Questions about redistribution of the library should be directed to: Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, Myron Taylor Hall, Ithaca, NY 14853. E-mail: lii@lii.law.cornell.edu
The cutoff date for this edition is December 2010. Consequently, the narrative does not reflect decisions, amendments or other legal developments after that date.
- 0.1:100 Sources of Law and Guidance
- 0.2:200 Forms of Lawyer Regulation in Ohio
- 0.3:300 Organization of This Library and the Model Rules
- 0.4:400 Abbreviations, References and Terminology
- 0.4:500 Additional Definitions in Ohio
- 1.1 Rule 1.1 Competence
- 1.2 Rule 1.2 Scope
of Representation
- 1.2:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 1.2:200 Creating the Client-Lawyer Relationship
- 1.2:300 Authority to Make Decisions or Act for Client
- 1.2:400 Lawyer's Moral Autonomy
- 1.2:500 Limiting the Scope of the Representation
- 1.2:600 Prohibited Assistance
- 1.2:700 Warning Client of Limitations on Representation
- 1.2:800 Identifying to Whom a Lawyer Owes Duties
- 1.2:900 Threatening Prosecution
- 1.3 Rule 1.3 Diligence
- 1.4 Rule 1.4 Communication
- 1.5 Rule 1.5 Fees and Expenses
- 1.6 Rule 1.6 Confidentiality
of Information
- 1.6:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 1.6:200 Professional Duty of Confidentiality
- 1.6:300 Exceptions to Duty of Confidentiality--In General
- 1.6:400 Attorney-Client Privilege
- 1.6:500 Waiver of Attorney-Client Privilege
- 1.6:600 Exceptions to Attorney-Client Privilege
- 1.6:700 Lawyer Work-Product Immunity
- 1.7 Rule 1.7 Conflict
of Interest: General Rule
- 1.7:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 1.7:200 Conflicts of Interest in General
- 1.7:300 Conflict of Interest Among Current Clients
- 1.7:400 Conflict of Interest Between Current Client and Third-Party Payor
- 1.7:500 Conflict of Interest Between Current Client and Lawyer's Interest [see also 1.8:200-:220, :1000]]
- 1.8 Rule 1.8 Conflict
of Interest: Prohibited Transactions
- 1.8:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 1.8:200 Lawyer's Personal Interest Affecting Relationship
- 1.8:300 Lawyer's Use of Client Information
- 1.8:400 Client Gifts to Lawyer
- 1.8:500 Literary or Media Rights Relating to Representation
- 1.8:600 Financing Litigation
- 1.8:700 Payment of Lawyer's Fee by Third Person
- 1.8:800 Aggregate Settlements
- 1.8:900 Agreements Involving Lawyer's Malpractice Liability
- 1.8:1000 Opposing a Lawyer Relative
- 1.8:1100 Lawyer's Proprietary Interest in Subject Matter of Representation
- 1.8:1200 Imputation of (a) through (i) Prohibitions to Other Members of Firm
- 1.9 Rule 1.9 Duties to Former Clients
- 1.10 Rule 1.10
Imputation of Conflict of Interest: General Rule
- 1.10:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 1.10:200 Imputed Disqualification Among Current Affiliated Lawyers
- 1.10:300 Removing Imputation by Screening
- 1.10:400 Disqualification of Firm After Disqualified Lawyer Departs
- 1.10:500 Client Consent [see also 1.7:240 and 1.9:200]
- 1.10:600 Imputed Disqualification of Former or Current Government Lawyers
- 1.11 Rule 1.11
Special Conflicts of Interest for Former and Current Government Officers and Employees
- 1.11:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 1.11:200 Representation of Another Client by Former Government Lawyer
- 1.11:300 Use of Confidential Government Information
- 1.11:400 Government Lawyer Participation in Matters Related to Prior Representation
- 1.11:500 Government Lawyer Negotiating for Private Employment
- 1.12 Rule 1.12
Former Judge, Arbitrator, Mediator, or Other Third-Party Neutral
- 1.12:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 1.12:200 Former Judge, Arbitrator, Mediator, or Other Third-Party Neutral Representing Client in Same Matter
- 1.12:300 Negotiating for Future Employment
- 1.12:400 Screening to Prevent Imputed Disqualification
- 1.12:500 Partisan Arbitrators Selected by Parties to Dispute
- 1.13 Rule 1.13 Organization as Client
- 1.14 Rule 1.14 Client with Diminished Capacity
- 1.15 Rule 1.15
Safekeeping Funds and Property
- 1.15:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 1.15:200 Safeguarding and Safekeeping Property
- 1.15:300 Holding Money as a Fiduciary for the Benefit of Clients or Third Parties
- 1.15:400 Dispute Over Lawyer's Entitlement to Funds Held in Trust
- 1.15:500 Fiduciary Duties Upon Dissolution of Law Firm
- 1.15:600 Obligations on Sale of Law Practice
- 1.15:700 Further Safekeeping Obligations
- 1.16 Rule 1.16 Declining or Terminating Representation
- 1.17 Rule 1.17 Sale of Law Practice
- 1.18 Rule 1.18 Duties to Prospective Client
- 2.1 Rule 2.1 Advisor
- 2.2 Rule 2.2 Intermediary
- 2.3 Rule 2.3 Evaluation for Use by Third Persons
- 2.4 Rule 2.4 Lawyer Serving as Arbitrator, Mediator, or Third-Party Neutral
- 3.1 Rule 3.1 Meritorious Claims and Contentions
- 3.2 Rule 3.2 Expediting Litigation
- 3.3 Rule 3.3 Candor
Toward the Tribunal
- 3.3:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 3.3:200 False Statements to a Tribunal
- 3.3:300 Disclosing Adverse Legal Authority
- 3.3:400 Offering False Evidence
- 3.3:500 Remedial Measures Necessary to Correct False Evidence
- 3.3:600 Discretion to Withhold Evidence Believed To Be False
- 3.3:700 Duty to Remedy Criminal or Fraudulent Conduct Related to Adjudicative Proceeding
- 3.3:800 Duty of Disclosure in Ex Parte Proceedings
- 3.4 Rule 3.4 Fairness
to Opposing Party and Counsel
- 3.4:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 3.4:200 Unlawful Destruction and Concealment of Evidence
- 3.4:300 Falsifying Evidence
- 3.4:400 Knowing Disobedience to Rules of Tribunal
- 3.4:500 Fairness in Pretrial Practice
- 3.4:600 Improper Trial Tactics
- 3.4:700 Advising Witness Not to Speak to Opposing Parties
- 3.4:800 Advising Potential Witness To Leave The Jurisdiction
- 3.5 Rule 3.5 Impartiality and Decorum of the Tribunal
- 3.6 Rule 3.6 Trial Publicity
- 3.7 Rule 3.7 Lawyer as Witness
- 3.8 Rule 3.8 Special
Responsibilities of a Prosecutor
- 3.8:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 3.8:200 The Decision to Charge
- 3.8:300 Efforts to Assure Accused's Right to Counsel
- 3.8:400 Seeking Waivers of Rights from Unrepresented Defendants
- 3.8:500 Disclosing Evidence Favorable to the Accused
- 3.8:600 Monitoring Extrajudicial Statements by Law Enforcement Officials
- 3.8:700 Issuing a Subpoena to a Lawyer
- 3.8:800 Making Extrajudicial Statements
- 3.8:900 Peremptory Strikes of Jurors
- 3.9 Rule 3.9 Advocate in Nonadjudicative Proceedings
IV. TRANSACTIONS WITH PERSONS OTHER THAN CLIENTS
- 4.1 Rule 4.1 Truthfulness in Statements to Others
- 4.2 Rule 4.2 Communication with Person Represented by Counsel
- 4.3 Rule 4.3 Dealing with Unrepresented Person
- 4.4 Rule 4.4 Respect for Rights of Third Persons
- 5.1 Rule 5.1 Responsibilities of Partners, Managers, and Supervisory Lawyers
- 5.2 Rule 5.2 Responsibilities of a Subordinate Lawyer
- 5.3 Rule 5.3 Responsibilities Regarding Nonlawyer Assistants
- 5.4 Rule 5.4 Professional Independence of a Lawyer [Restrictions on Form of Practice]
- 5.5 Rule 5.5 Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law
- 5.6 Rule 5.6 Restrictions on Right to Practice
- 5.7 Rule 5.7 Responsibilities Regarding Law-Related Services
- 6.1 Rule 6.1 Pro Bono Public Service
- 6.2 Rule 6.2 Accepting Appointments
- 6.3 Rule 6.3 Membership in Legal Services Organization
- 6.4 Rule 6.4 Law Reform Activities Affecting Client Interests
- 6.5 Rule 6.5 Nonprofit and Court-Annexed Limited Legal Service Programs
VII. INFORMATION ABOUT LEGAL SERVICES
- 7.1 Rule 7.1 Communications Concerning a Lawyer's Services
- 7.2 Rule 7.2 Advertising and Recommendation of Professional Employment
- 7.3 Rule 7.3 Direct
Contact with Prospective Client
- 7.3:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 7.3:200 Prohibition of For-Profit In-Person, Live Telephone, and Real-Time Electronic Solicitation
- 7.3:300 Prohibitions Applicable to All Forms of Solicitation
- 7.3:400 Additional Requirements for Targeted Written, Recorded, and Electronic Solicitation
- 7.3:500 Solicitation by Prepaid and Group Legal Services Plans
- 7.4 Rule 7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice and Specialization
- 7.5 Rule 7.5 Firm Names and Letterheads
- 7.6 Rule 7.6 Political Contributions to Obtain Government Engagements or Appointments by Judges
VIII. MAINTAINING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PROFESSION
- 8.1 Rule 8.1 Bar Admission and Disciplinary Matters
- 8.2 Rule 8.2 Judicial and Legal Officials
- 8.3 Rule 8.3 Reporting Professional Misconduct
- 8.4 Rule 8.4 Misconduct
- 8.4:100 Comparative Analysis of Ohio Rule
- 8.4:200 Violation of a Rule of Professional Conduct
- 8.4:300 Commission of an Illegal Act Reflecting Adversely on Honesty or Trustworthiness
- 8.4:400 Dishonesty, Fraud, Deceit and Misrepresentation
- 8.4:500 Conduct Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice
- 8.4:600 Implying Ability to Influence Public Officials
- 8.4:700 Assisting Judge or Official in Violation of Duty
- 8.4:800 Discrimination in the Practice of Law
- 8.4:900 Threatening Prosecution [see section 1.2:900]
- 8.4:1000 Conduct That Adversely Reflects on Fitness to Practice Law
- 8.5 Rule 8.5 Disciplinary Authority; Choice of Law




