COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Latest on disciplinary proceedings against Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill’s former law partner (all times local):
11:30 a.m.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill’s fellow justices have heard arguments favoring indefinite suspension of his former partner’s law license for using the justice’s name on office signs and business cards.
The Democratic justice initially agreed to the plan by Thomas C. Brown, of Geneva, to open “O’Neill & Brown Law Office” in 2015, not realizing it was improper.
The local bar association argued Wednesday that Brown continued using O’Neill’s name despite claiming he’d stopped. Brown waived his opportunity to speak.
O’Neill joined the court in 2013. Professional conduct rules prohibit a firm from using the name of a lawyer who holds public office in its title when the lawyer in office isn’t currently practicing there. Rules also prohibit making false and misleading claims about a firm’s members and longevity.
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12:30 a.m.
A former law partner of Ohio Supreme Court Justice William O’Neill faces a six-month provisional suspension for using the justice’s name on office signs and business cards.
The Democratic justice initially agreed to the plan by Thomas C. Brown, of Geneva, to open “O’Neill & Brown Law Office” in 2015, not realizing it was improper.
The local bar association will argue Wednesday that Brown continued using O’Neill’s name despite claiming he’d stopped. Brown says the practice has now been renamed.
O’Neill joined the court in 2013. Ohio professional conduct rules prohibit a firm from using the name of a lawyer who holds public office in its title when the lawyer in office isn’t currently practicing there. Rules also prohibit making false and misleading claims about a firm’s members and longevity.
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