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In re Resigantion of Greulich

Docket 2026-0355

Court of record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

OtherAffirmed
Filed
Jurisdiction
Ohio
Court
Ohio Supreme Court
Type
Opinion
Case type
Other
Disposition
Affirmed
Citation
2026-Ohio-1388
Docket
2026-0355

Application for resignation or retirement under Gov.Bar R. VI(11) referred to disciplinary counsel and considered by the Ohio Supreme Court.

Summary

The Ohio Supreme Court accepted the resignation of attorney David Paul Greulich Jr. under the rule for resignation when disciplinary action is pending. The court treated the filing as a resignation with disciplinary action pending and ordered that Greulich be immediately prohibited from practicing law in Ohio, surrender his admission certificate, and have his name stricken from the roll. The court also imposed post-resignation obligations: notify clients and opposing counsel, deliver client files, refund unearned fees, refrain from handling client funds, reimburse the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection if applicable, and file proof of compliance with the court and disciplinary counsel.

Issues Decided

  • Whether to accept an attorney's application for resignation when disciplinary action is pending under Gov.Bar R. VI(11).
  • What restrictions and duties should accompany acceptance of a resignation with disciplinary action pending, including surrender of certificate and client-notification obligations.
  • Whether the respondent must reimburse amounts awarded by the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection and comply with reporting requirements.

Court's Reasoning

The court applied Gov.Bar R. VI(11)(C) which allows acceptance of a resignation while disciplinary proceedings are pending and permits entry of conditions protecting the public and clients. Because disciplinary counsel had reported pursuant to the rule, the court concluded resignation should be accepted with disciplinary action pending and imposed standard safeguards (prohibition on practice, surrender of certificate, client notice and file transfer, refund of unearned fees, and reimbursement to the Lawyers' Fund). These measures ensure client protection and permit collection of any future awards.

Authorities Cited

  • Gov.Bar R. VI(11)
  • Gov.Bar R. V(23)
  • Gov.Bar R. VIII(7)(F)

Parties

Respondent
David Paul Greulich Jr.
Judge
Kennedy, C.J.
Judge
DeWine, J.
Judge
Deters, J.
Judge
Hawkins, J.
Judge
Shanahan, J.
Judge
Fischer, J. (dissenting)
Judge
Brunner, J. (not participating)

Key Dates

Admission to Ohio bar
1996-11-22
Disciplinary counsel report filed
2026-03-26
Application submitted
2026-04-14
Decision date
2026-04-17

What You Should Do Next

  1. 1

    Surrender certificate of admission

    Deliver the certificate of admission to the clerk of the Ohio Supreme Court within 30 days of the order.

  2. 2

    Notify clients and opposing counsel

    Within 30 days, send certified-mail notices to all clients in pending matters, any co-counsel, and opposing parties advising of disqualification and how to retrieve files.

  3. 3

    File affidavit of compliance

    File with the clerk and disciplinary counsel an affidavit proving compliance with the order and provide the address for future communications.

  4. 4

    Reimburse Lawyers' Fund if applicable

    Within 90 days, reimburse any amounts already awarded by the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection and reimburse any future awards within 90 days of notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this decision mean for the attorney?
The court accepted his resignation as an attorney while disciplinary action is pending, so he is no longer permitted to practice law in Ohio and his name will be removed from the roll of attorneys.
Who is affected by this order?
Clients of the attorney, opposing parties in active matters, any co-counsel, and the Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection may be affected because of required notifications, file transfers, refunds, and possible fund reimbursements.
What must the attorney do next?
He must surrender his certificate of admission, notify clients and opposing counsel, deliver client files or arrange pickup, refund unearned fees, refrain from handling client funds, and file an affidavit of compliance within the deadlines set by the order.
Can this decision be appealed?
The order is by the Ohio Supreme Court; it is the court's determination on the resignation application, so ordinary appeal from this court is not available.

The above suggestions and answers are AI-generated for informational purposes only. They may contain errors. NoticeRegistry assumes no responsibility for their accuracy. Consult a qualified attorney before relying on them.

Full Filing Text
[Cite as In re Resignation of Greulich, 2026-Ohio-1388.]




                          IN RE RESIGNATION OF GREULICH.
             [Cite as In re Resignation of Greulich, 2026-Ohio-1388.]
Attorneys at law—Resignation with disciplinary action pending—Gov.Bar R.
        VI(11)(C).
      (No. 2026-0355—Submitted April 14, 2026—Decided April 17, 2026.)
                 ON APPLICATION FOR RETIREMENT OR RESIGNATION
                           PURSUANT TO GOV.BAR R. VI(11).
                                  _________________
        {¶ 1} Respondent, David Paul Greulich Jr., Attorney Registration No.
0067366, last known business address in Cleveland, Ohio, who was admitted to the
bar of this State on November 22, 1996, submitted an application for retirement or
resignation pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VI(11).             The application was referred to
disciplinary counsel pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VI(11)(B). On March 26, 2026, the
Office of Attorney Services filed disciplinary counsel’s report, under seal, with this
court in accordance with Gov.Bar R. VI(11)(B)(2).
        {¶ 2} On consideration thereof, it is ordered by the court that pursuant to
Gov.Bar R. VI(11)(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, nor 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(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.
       {¶ 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 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 shall surrender respondent’s
certificate of admission to practice to the clerk of this 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 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 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




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                                  January Term, 2026




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.
        {¶ 9} It is further ordered that on or before 30 days from the date of this
order, respondent shall do the following:
        {¶ 10} 1. Notify all clients being represented in pending matters and any
cocounsel of respondent’s resignation and consequent disqualification to act as an
attorney after the effective date of this order and, in the absence of cocounsel, also
notify the clients to seek legal services 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, deliver to all clients being
represented in pending matters any papers or other property pertaining to the client
or notify the clients or cocounsel, 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 or, in the absence of counsel, the adverse
parties in pending litigation 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 notices required by this order by certified mail with a
return address where communications may thereafter be directed to respondent;
        {¶ 15} 6. File with the clerk of this court and disciplinary counsel of the
Supreme Court an affidavit showing compliance with this order, showing proof of




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service of the notices required herein, and setting forth the address where
respondent 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 disciplinary counsel advised of
any change of address where respondent may receive communications.
          {¶ 18} It is further ordered 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 Sup.R. 44 through 47, which govern
access to court records.
          {¶ 19} It is further ordered 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(17)(E)(1) and that publication be
made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(E)(2).
          KENNEDY, C.J., and DEWINE, DETERS, HAWKINS, and SHANAHAN, JJ.,
concur.
          FISCHER, J., dissents.
          BRUNNER, J., not participating.
                                   _________________




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