Ohio State Bar Assn. v. Pinnacle Title Corp.

2009 Ohio 4206, 913 N.E.2d 451, 122 Ohio St. 3d 592

• Court: Ohio Supreme Court
• Decided: August 27, 2009
• Docket: 2009-0982
• Status: Published

Opinion

{¶ 1} Pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VII(5b), the Board on the Unauthorized Practice of Law has recommended our approval of a consent decree proposed by relator, Ohio State Bar Association, and respondents, Pinnacle Title Corporation, Pinnacle Title Corp., Dennis Leo Mattingly, Jeffrey D. Houk, and Timothy Poole. We accept the board’s recommendation and approve the proposed consent decree submitted by the parties, as follows:

{¶ 2} 1. By providing legal advice concerning the legal implications of the use of particular deed forms by sellers of real estate, respondents engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

{¶ 3} 2. By drafting and preparing real estate deeds affecting the rights of Ohio residents, respondents engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

{¶ 4} 3. Pinnacle Title Corporation and Pinnacle Title Corp., its successors and assigns, and its officers, members, agents, representatives, and employees, Dennis Leo Mattingly, Jeffrey D. Houk, and Timothy Poole, are permanently enjoined from providing advice concerning the legal implications of deeds and from preparing real estate deeds for and to residents of the state of Ohio.

{¶ 5} 4. Pinnacle Title Corporation and Pinnacle Title Corp., its successors and assigns, and its officers, members, agents, representatives, and employees, Dennis Leo Mattingly, Jeffrey D. Houk, and Timothy Poole, are permanently enjoined from providing legal services or legal advice to Ohio residents or otherwise engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in the state of Ohio.

{¶ 6} 5. No civil penalty is to be imposed.

{¶ 7} Costs are taxed to respondents.

Judgment accordingly.

Moyer, C.J., and Pfeifer, Lundberg Stratton, O’Connor, O’Donnell, Lanzinger, and Cupp, JJ., concur. Eugene P. Whetzel, Bar Counsel, and Ian Robinson, for relator. Victoria D. Oakley, for respondent.