Learn About the Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
IN RE: APPLICATION OF VANDENBOSSCHE.
Per Curiam. In order to be admitted to the practice of law in Ohio, VanDenBossche must establish by clear and convincing evidence his “present character, fitness, and moral qualifications for admission.” Gov.Bar R. I(12)(C)(6); In re Application of Kemp (1998), 84 Ohio St.3d 274, 276, 703 N.E.2d 769, 771. Evidence of a pattern of disregard of the laws of Ohio or of other states and a failure to provide complete and accurate information concerning the applicant's past reflect adversely on an applicant's present character, fitness, and moral qualifications. Gov.Bar R. I(11)(D)(3)(f) and (g). In other words, “ ‘[a]pplicants for admission to the Ohio Bar must establish by clear and convincing evidence that their prior conduct justifies the trust of clients, adversaries, courts and others with respect to the professional duties owed to them.’ ” In re Application of Nerren (1997), 79 Ohio St.3d 322, 323, 681 N.E.2d 906, quoting In re Application of Keita (1995), 74 Ohio St.3d 46, 47, 656 N.E.2d 620, 622.
We adopt the findings of the board, but believe that a longer period is warranted before VanDenBossche should be permitted to take the bar examination. VanDenBossche's criminal record, including his recent charges in which he admitted assaulting his best friend at his workplace and having physical contact with an intoxicated woman he had invited to a bar a few months after his marriage to his current wife, together with his failure to provide a full and credible account of either the gross sexual imposition or Florida charges, reflect a cavalier approach to the law and a lack of reliable judgment by VanDenBossche, even though the most recent charges were ultimately dismissed. See In re Applications of Piro (1993), 66 Ohio St.3d 400, 402, 613 N.E.2d 201, 202.
Based on the foregoing, VanDenBossche has not met his burden of proving his present fitness to practice law in Ohio. Accordingly, we prohibit VanDenBossche from applying for any bar examination earlier than the February 2001 bar examination.
Judgment accordingly.
PER CURIAM.
MOYER, C.J., RESNICK, FRANCIS E. SWEENEY, SR. and PFEIFER, JJ., concur. COOK, J., concurs in judgment only. DOUGLAS and LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., dissent.
Thank you for your feedback!
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes visit FindLaw's Learn About the Law.
Docket No: No. 99-1882.
Decided: February 23, 2000
Court: Supreme Court of Ohio.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)
Harness the power of our directory with your own profile. Select the button below to sign up.
Learn more about FindLaw’s newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)