When I first read some reporting about this decision from
Ohio involving the indefinite suspension of a lawyer, I expected it
to come across very much as an obvious case of a lawyer's third
strike leading to a steep punishment. But, the coming together of
so many things with respect to this lawyer's situation actually
offers quite a story from which a lot of lawyers can learn a few
things (or at least be reminded of some things they already knew).
Thus, showing my age again, I've gone with The Police
album rip-off title for this post.
So, yes, at the straightforward level, if you read this opinion, you will digest the story
of a lawyer getting hit with his third strike. About nine years
ago, Mr. Shimko engaged in some financial chicanery with some
clients leading to a public censure in Ohio that was imposed as
reciprocal discipline after Arizona had first done the same. Three
years or so after that, he received a one-year suspension (but it
was all stayed so he
