Your Attorney License Was Suspended in Ohio: Here's What to Do Next

You opened the letter from the Supreme Court of Ohio and saw the word "suspended." Your stomach dropped. Your hands shook. Maybe you're reading this at 2 a.m., unable to sleep, wondering if your career is over. Maybe you've already Googled "what happens when your attorney license is suspended" a dozen times and found nothing but legal jargon and punishment guidelines. Let me say this clearly: This is survivable. Thousands of attorneys across the United States have had their licenses suspended and have returned to practice. This is not the end of your legal career—but it is a serious turning point that requires immediate, strategic action. This article is your roadmap through the next days, weeks, and months. You are not alone in this.

What Just Happened: Understanding Your Suspension Order

In Ohio, attorney license suspensions are governed by the Supreme Court of Ohio and administered through the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the Board of Professional Conduct. When your license is suspended, you are temporarily prohibited from practicing law in the state. But what does that actually mean legally, and what type of suspension are you facing?

Types of Suspensions in Ohio:

Interim Suspension: This is an emergency measure imposed when the court determines there's an immediate threat to clients or the public. Interim suspensions are imposed quickly, often before a full disciplinary hearing. They typically occur in cases involving criminal charges, misappropriation of client funds, or serious mental health crises. An interim suspension remains in effect until the underlying disciplinary matter is resolved.

Definite Suspension: This is a suspension for a specific period—six months, one year, two years, etc. At the end of the term, you may apply for reinstatement, though reinstatement is not automatic. The Supreme Court of Ohio will specify the exact length in your order.

Indefinite Suspension: This suspension has no set end date. You can apply for reinstatement only after meeting specific conditions set by the court—completing treatment programs, demonstrating rehabilitation, passing a fitness evaluation, etc. Indefinite suspensions are common in cases involving substance abuse, mental health issues, or serious ethical violations.

Your suspension order from the Supreme Court of Ohio will specify which type you've received. The order should also detail:

The effective date of your suspension
The specific rule violations or grounds for suspension
Any conditions you must meet for reinstatement
Your obligations regarding client notification
Whether you must pay costs or restitution
Any restrictions on applying for reinstatement

What you must stop doing immediately:

The moment your suspension becomes effective, you cannot practice law in Ohio. This means you cannot represent clients, appear in court, give legal advice, sign pleadings, negotiate on behalf of clients, or hold yourself out as an attorney licensed to practice in Ohio. You must remove your name from firm letterhead, website attorney listings, and any advertisements. You cannot maintain a law office in your own name or collect legal fees for legal services.

What you do NOT have to give up:

You retain your law degree—no one can take away your J.D. You can still identify yourself as having attended law school and having been an attorney (past tense) when truthfully describing your background. You're still entitled to your personal property, your retirement accounts, your friendships within the legal community. Most importantly, you retain your right to apply for reinstatement and to appeal or seek reconsideration of the suspension order.

Within approximately 45 to 60 days of the Supreme Court's order, the suspension will be publicly reported in the Ohio State Bar Association Report and on the Supreme Court's website. This is not designed to shame you—it's a public protection measure required by the disciplinary rules.

Your First 72 Hours: The Checklist

Right now, you need a concrete action plan. Don't try to process everything emotionally yet—just execute these steps methodically. Time is critical.

Retain a license defense attorney immediately. Not a general practitioner, not your law school friend—you need an attorney who specializes in attorney disciplinary defense and reinstatement in Ohio. This is the single most important investment you can make. Many offer payment plans. Call today, not next week.
Read your suspension order word-for-word at least three times. Highlight every deadline, every condition, every requirement. Miss nothing. Have someone else read it too if you're too shaken to absorb it.
Identify and calendar all appeal or reconsideration deadlines. In Ohio, you typically have 30 days from the date of the Supreme Court's entry of judgment to file a motion for reconsideration. This deadline is absolute and jurisdictional. Missing it can forfeit your right to challenge the suspension. Your license defense attorney will advise whether this is appropriate in your case.
Notify your employer or law firm partners if required. Review your employment agreement. Many require immediate disclosure of disciplinary actions. If you're a solo practitioner, begin the client notification process as required by Ohio Gov. Bar R. V, Section 24.
Contact your professional liability insurance carrier. Report the suspension and ask about coverage for the disciplinary matter, potential claims, and tail coverage if you're leaving practice temporarily. Do this in writing and keep records.
Do NOT make public statements about your case. Do not post on social media. Do not send explanatory emails to your entire contact list. Do not give interviews. Anything you say can be used in disciplinary proceedings and will likely make things worse. Silence is strategic.
Preserve all records and communications. Gather every document, email, text message, and file related to the matter that led to your suspension. Create backups. Your attorney will need these. Do not delete anything—spoliation of evidence can lead to additional discipline.
Secure client files and trust account records. You have specific obligations under Ohio's disciplinary rules to protect client property and notify clients. Your supervising attorney (if applicable) or your license defense attorney can guide you through this process carefully.
Assess your financial situation honestly. Pull up your bank statements, list your monthly expenses, calculate how long your savings will last. You need a survival budget, and you need it now.
Reach out to one trusted person. A family member, a close friend, a therapist. You should not go through this alone. Isolation increases the risk of depression and poor decision-making.

Your Appeal Rights in Ohio

Depending on the procedural posture of your case, you may have the right to appeal or seek reconsideration of the suspension order. Understanding these rights is critical—and time-sensitive.

Motion for Reconsideration: After the Supreme Court of Ohio issues its disciplinary decision, you generally have 30 days to file a motion for reconsideration under Ohio S.Ct.Prac.R. II, Section 2(D). This motion asks the same court to reconsider its decision based on legal errors, new evidence, or other compelling reasons. This is not an appeal to a higher court—it's asking the Supreme Court to take another look.

Your license defense attorney will evaluate whether a motion for reconsideration has merit. In some cases, especially where there were procedural irregularities or where the sanction seems disproportionate to the violation, reconsideration can result in a reduced suspension or modified conditions. However, motions for reconsideration are not commonly granted, and filing one should be a carefully considered strategic decision.

What an appeal or reconsideration can accomplish:

Correction of legal errors in the application of the Rules of Professional Conduct
Reduction in the length or type of suspension
Modification of reinstatement conditions
Reversal of findings of fact that were not supported by the evidence

What it typically cannot accomplish:

Immediate reinstatement (unless the entire case is reversed, which is rare)
Removal of the suspension from your public disciplinary record if the underlying violation is sustained
A complete "do-over" of the disciplinary hearing

Should you pursue an appeal or motion for reconsideration? Consult your attorney, but consider these factors: Was there a significant procedural error? Is the sanction dramatically harsher than similar cases? Is there new evidence that wasn't available during your hearing? Are you prepared for the emotional and financial cost of continued litigation?

Even if your chances are uncertain, if there's any reasonable basis for challenging the suspension, many attorneys find value in exhausting their appellate rights. At minimum, it demonstrates to the Board of Professional Conduct during the reinstatement process that you took the matter seriously and exercised your legal rights responsibly.

Critical deadline reminder: The 30-day deadline for filing a motion for reconsideration runs from the date the Supreme Court's order is filed and journalized, not from the date you received notice. Confirm the exact date with your attorney and set multiple calendar reminders. Missing this deadline is not reversible.

How to Survive Financially During Your Suspension

Let's address the elephant in the room: You cannot practice law during your suspension. That means no legal consulting, no "unofficial" advice to friends, no contract document review for your former firm, no working as a paralegal without explicit bar approval (which is rarely granted), and no teaching law school courses in most cases without specific permission. The Supreme Court of Ohio and the disciplinary authorities take unauthorized practice during suspension extremely seriously—violations can convert a temporary suspension into permanent disbarment.

So where does that leave you financially? You need income from completely non-legal sources. For many attorneys, this is disorienting and feels like a devastating step backward. Let me reframe it: This is temporary, strategic survival. Thousands of professionals have done gig work, retail, and service jobs during career transitions and lived to tell the tale. There is no shame in paying your bills.

Here are realistic, immediately accessible income sources:

Gig Delivery Work: Sign up for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, or Grubhub. You can start earning within days of approval. These platforms require a driver's license, a vehicle (or bike in some cities), and a smartphone. You set your own hours. Many suspended attorneys report earning $15-$25/hour depending on market and time of day. Weekend evenings are peak times. This is flexible enough to work around reinstatement preparation activities.

Rideshare Driving: Uber and Lyft allow you to earn money driving passengers. The signup process is online, requires a background check (your criminal record, if any, may affect eligibility depending on the nature of offenses), and vehicle inspection. Drivers in mid-sized Ohio cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati report earning $18-$30/hour during busy periods. Early mornings, late nights, and weekends near entertainment districts are most lucrative.

Pet Sitting and Dog Walking: Rover and Wag connect you with pet owners who need walkers, sitters, or boarders. If you're in a suburban or urban area of Ohio, demand is strong. Rates vary, but dog walkers commonly charge $20-$35 per 30-minute walk. Overnight pet sitting can bring in $50-$100 per night. This work is surprisingly steady and requires no credentials—just reliability and a love of animals.

Reselling and Flipping: Many people generate meaningful income by sourcing items from thrift stores, garage sales, or clearance racks and reselling them on eBay, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, or Mercari. Attorneys often have strong research and negotiation skills that translate well here. Some focus on clothing, others on electronics, books, or collectibles. It's possible to generate $500-$2,000/month with consistent effort.

TaskRabbit: If you're handy or willing to learn, TaskRabbit connects you with people who need help with furniture assembly, moving, mounting TVs, yard work, and general handyman tasks. "Taskers" set their own rates. In Ohio markets, you can charge $30-$60/hour depending on the task.

Retail, Restaurant, or Hospitality Work: Many Ohio retailers, grocery stores, and restaurants are consistently hiring. Positions like cashier, stock associate, server, or bartender require no professional license and often offer immediate hiring. Yes, it's a pay cut from legal work, but $13-$16/hour part-time can cover groceries and utilities while you rebuild. Some attorneys find the structure and social interaction during a suspension to be mentally stabilizing.

Sales Roles: Your legal skills—negotiation, persuasion, research, client relationship management—transfer directly to sales. Consider insurance sales (if you obtain the separate license required), B2B sales, or even real estate (if you're separately licensed or willing to get licensed). Commission-based roles can be lucrative if you're motivated.

Administrative or Project Management Roles: Law firms, corporations, and nonprofits often need project managers, legal administrators, compliance coordinators, or operations managers. You can't do legal work, but you can manage workflows, coordinate teams, and handle administrative oversight. Highlight your organizational and management experience. These roles typically pay $40,000-$65,000 annually.

Freelance Writing or Copywriting: Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer connect writers with clients who need blog posts, web content, marketing copy, and more. Legal writing skills translate well to persuasive copywriting. Rates range from $0.05 to $0.50 per word depending on your niche and experience. Some suspended attorneys build substantial freelance writing businesses during suspension.

Tutoring or Teaching Assistant Roles: Consider tutoring college students in writing, logic, or pre-law subjects. LSAT prep companies sometimes hire former attorneys as tutors or course instructors (check whether this is permissible under your suspension order—teaching LSAT logic games is generally fine; teaching legal ethics might raise issues). Tutors often earn $25-$75/hour.

Other Financial Survival Strategies:

Unemployment benefits: Depending on the circumstances of your suspension and employment situation, you may be eligible for unemployment compensation in Ohio. If you were employed by a firm and your license suspension resulted in termination, file a claim with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services immediately. Eligibility is case-specific.

Negotiate with creditors: Contact credit card companies, mortgage lenders, and student loan servicers. Explain your temporary financial hardship. Many offer forbearance, deferment, or reduced payment plans. Federal student loans have specific hardship and income-driven repayment options.

Hardship withdrawals from retirement accounts: As a last resort, you may be able to withdraw from your 401(k) or IRA under hardship provisions. Be aware of taxes and penalties. Consult a financial advisor or tax professional before doing this.

Legal professional assistance programs: Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP) may have resources or referrals for financial counseling or emergency assistance. They primarily focus on substance abuse and mental health, but they can sometimes connect you to additional support.

The bottom line: You will survive this financially. It will require humility, creativity, and hard work in ways you didn't anticipate. But it is absolutely doable. Many attorneys later reflect that their time doing non-legal work during suspension gave them perspective, resilience, and surprising skills they carried back into practice.

What You CANNOT Do—And Why It Matters

This section could save you from turning a temporary suspension into permanent disbarment. Listen carefully: You cannot practice law in any form while suspended.

Under Ohio's Rules of Professional Conduct and Gov. Bar R. V, Section 24, a suspended attorney is prohibited from:

Representing clients in any legal matter
Giving legal advice, even informally or for free
Appearing in court or at administrative hearings
Signing legal documents as an attorney
Holding yourself out as a licensed attorney authorized to practice in Ohio
Maintaining a law office in your own name
Splitting legal fees or receiving compensation for legal services
Working as a paralegal or legal assistant for a law firm without express permission from the Supreme Court (rarely granted)

Many suspended attorneys think, "I'll just do some consulting on the side," or "I'll help a friend with a simple contract." Don't. The unauthorized practice of law during suspension is considered a separate, serious ethical violation that demonstrates contempt for the disciplinary process. It can extend your suspension, convert an indefinite suspension into disbarment, or result in criminal charges in some jurisdictions.

Real-world example: In Disciplinary Counsel v. Smith, an Ohio attorney who was under an interim suspension continued to communicate with clients, provide legal advice, and draft legal documents. When the Board of Professional Conduct learned of this conduct, they recommended—and the Supreme Court of Ohio imposed—permanent disbarment instead of the definite suspension that might have otherwise been imposed. The attorney's argument that he was "just helping out" and "not charging fees" was rejected. The Court found that his actions showed a lack of respect for the disciplinary system and an unwillingness to comply with court orders.

Similarly, attorneys suspended in other states who have taken "paralegal" positions at firms while continuing to exercise legal judgment, supervise cases, or advise attorneys have faced additional discipline. The line is bright: no legal work, period.

If you're uncertain whether a specific activity constitutes the unauthorized practice of law, ask your license defense attorney before doing it. When in doubt, don't.

The Path Back: How Reinstatement Works in Ohio

Reinstatement is not automatic, even if you've served a definite suspension term. You must affirmatively apply and prove to the Supreme Court of Ohio that you are fit to return to the practice of law.

For Definite Suspensions (six months or more): Under Gov. Bar R. V, Section 26, you must file a petition for reinstatement. You cannot apply until the suspension period has expired. The petition must include:

Proof that you complied with all terms of the suspension order
Evidence of your current moral fitness and competence
Affidavits from attorneys and other individuals attesting to your character
Proof of completion of all continuing legal education (CLE) requirements, including any hours missed during suspension
Documentation of any treatment, counseling, or rehabilitation you completed
A personal statement explaining what you've learned and how you've addressed the issues that led to suspension

The Board of Professional Conduct will review your petition and may conduct a hearing. They will investigate your activities during the suspension, your compliance with the order, and whether you present a risk to clients or the public. The Board then makes a recommendation to the Supreme Court of Ohio, which has final authority on reinstatement.

For Indefinite Suspensions: You typically cannot apply for reinstatement until you've been suspended for at least two years (or another period specified in your order) and you've met all conditions imposed by the court. Conditions often include:

Completion of substance abuse treatment or mental health counseling
Passing a fitness evaluation by a board-approved professional
Demonstrating financial responsibility and resolving any restitution obligations
Passing the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) again
In some cases, retaking and passing the Ohio bar examination

Timeline Expectations: The reinstatement process in Ohio typically takes six months to over a year from the filing of your petition to a final decision, depending on the complexity of your case and whether a hearing is required. Plan accordingly.

What the Board is Looking For:

The Board of Professional Conduct evaluates several factors during reinstatement:

Acceptance of responsibility: Have you genuinely acknowledged your misconduct without excuse or minimization?
Rehabilitation: Have you addressed the root causes of your misconduct—whether substance abuse, mental health issues, financial pressures, or ethical lapses?
Compliance: Did you fully comply with every term of your suspension, including client notifications, fee refunds, and trust account obligations?
Character references: Do respected members of the bar and community vouch for your integrity and fitness?
Competence: Have you maintained your legal knowledge through CLE, reading, or other means?
Restitution: Have you made clients whole for any financial harm?

Key Actions That Strengthen Your Reinstatement Case:

Complete CLE hours proactively: Ohio requires attorneys to complete continuing legal education even during suspension. Don't wait until the last minute. Exceeding the minimum requirements shows the Board you're serious about maintaining competence.

Address the underlying issue head-on: If your suspension involved substance abuse, complete an accredited treatment program and maintain documented sobriety. If it involved mismanagement of client funds, take courses in law office management and trust accounting. Show specific, concrete steps you've taken to ensure the problem won't recur.

Retain a reinstatement specialist attorney: The same attorney who handled your disciplinary defense may handle your reinstatement, or you may need to hire someone who specializes specifically in reinstatement. This is not a pro se process. The stakes are too high.

Request a fitness evaluation proactively: If your suspension involved mental health or substance abuse, consider obtaining a fitness evaluation from a board-approved psychologist or addiction specialist before it's required. Presenting this proactively demonstrates initiative and self-awareness.

Document everything: Keep records of every AA meeting attended, every therapy session, every CLE course, every character reference conversation, every volunteer hour. The Board wants evidence, not just assertions.

Engage in community service: Volunteering—whether legal pro bono work if permitted under supervision, or non-legal community service—demonstrates your commitment to serving others and rebuilding your reputation.

Maintain connections to the legal community: Attend bar association events (as a non-practicing attendee), stay in touch with mentors, and remain visible in positive ways. Isolation makes reinstatement harder.

How to Choose a License Defense Attorney

Hiring the right attorney to represent you in disciplinary and reinstatement proceedings is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make. This is not the time to cut corners or rely on favors from a law school friend who practices family law.

What to look for:

Specialization in attorney disciplinary defense: You want an attorney whose practice focuses substantially on representing lawyers before the Office of Disciplinary Counsel and the Board of Professional Conduct. This is a niche area of law with unique procedural rules, strategic considerations, and institutional knowledge.

Experience before the Ohio Supreme Court: Disciplinary cases in Ohio are ultimately decided by the Supreme Court. Your attorney should have experience presenting cases, filing motions for reconsideration, and negotiating with disciplinary authorities in the Ohio system specifically.

Track record of reinstatements: Ask how many clients the attorney has successfully guided through reinstatement. What types of cases? How long did the process take?

Reputation with the Board and Disciplinary Counsel: Attorneys who regularly practice in this area develop working relationships with disciplinary authorities. While no attorney can guarantee an outcome, those with credibility and respect in the system are better positioned to negotiate and advocate effectively.

Questions to ask during your consultation:

How many attorney disciplinary cases have you handled in Ohio?
What is your assessment of my case and my options?
Should I file a motion for reconsideration? What are the risks and benefits?
What is your fee structure, and do you offer payment plans?
What will you need from me, and what is my role in this process?
What is the realistic timeline for my reinstatement, assuming I comply with all requirements?
Have you handled cases involving [the specific issue in your case—substance abuse, trust account violations, etc.]?

Red flags to avoid:

Attorneys who guarantee a specific outcome (no one can)
Attorneys who primarily practice in unrelated areas and are "willing to help you out"
Attorneys who encourage you to mislead or withhold information from the Board
Attorneys who don't return your calls or emails promptly during the consultation phase
Attorneys who seem unfamiliar with the Ohio disciplinary rules or recent Supreme Court decisions

Approximate cost ranges: Be prepared for legal fees in the range of $10,000 to $40,000+ depending on the complexity of your case, whether there are hearings, appeals, or a contested reinstatement. Some attorneys charge flat fees for specific phases (e.g., $15,000 for the reinstatement petition and hearing). Others bill hourly at rates of $250-$500/hour. Many offer payment plans. This is expensive, but the cost of losing your law license permanently is far greater. If you cannot afford an attorney, contact the Ohio State Bar Association or Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program for potential low-cost or pro bono referrals—though options are limited.

The Mental Health Reality—And Why It Matters for Reinstatement

Let's talk about what you're probably feeling right now: shame, fear, anger, grief, isolation. Maybe you're not sleeping. Maybe you're drinking more than usual. Maybe you've thought about walking away from the law entirely—or worse.

These feelings are normal responses to trauma. A license suspension is not just a professional setback; it's an identity crisis. For many attorneys, being a lawyer is intertwined with their self-worth, their social identity, and their sense of purpose. Losing that—even temporarily—can feel like losing yourself.

Here's what you need to know: The Supreme Court of Ohio and the Board of Professional Conduct actually look favorably on attorneys who proactively seek mental health treatment. Demonstrating that you've engaged in therapy, attended support groups, or participated in a lawyer assistance program is seen as evidence of insight, responsibility, and rehabilitation—not weakness.

In fact, many reinstatement petitions include letters from therapists, psychologists, or addiction counselors attesting to the attorney's progress and fitness. Engaging with mental health support is not a liability; it's an asset in your reinstatement case.

Resources:

Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP): OLAP provides confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, and law students struggling with substance abuse, mental health issues, or stress. Services include peer support, referrals to treatment providers, and ongoing monitoring. Participation in OLAP can be documented and presented as evidence of rehabilitation during reinstatement. Contact them at (800) 348-4343 or visit ohiolap.org.

SAMHSA National Helpline: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a free, confidential, 24/7 helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for individuals facing mental health or substance use disorders. They can provide referrals to local treatment facilities and support groups.

Therapy and counseling: Find a licensed therapist or psychologist, ideally one with experience working with professionals in crisis. Psychology Today's therapist directory (psychologytoday.com) allows you to filter by location, insurance, and specialty. Many therapists offer sliding scale fees.

Support groups: Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), SMART Recovery, and other peer support groups are free and widely available throughout Ohio. Attendance records can be submitted as part of your reinstatement petition.

If you're having thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or text "HELLO" to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line. This is not hyperbole—attorney suicide rates are significantly higher than the general population, and license suspension is a known risk factor. Please reach out.

Practical mental health strategies during suspension:

Maintain a routine. Wake up at the same time, exercise, eat regular meals. Structure prevents spiral.
Limit alcohol. It's tempting to numb the pain, but substance use during suspension can complicate reinstatement and deepen depression.
Stay physically active. Exercise is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression.
Connect with people outside the law. Friends, family, spiritual communities—people who know you as more than your job title.
Set small, achievable goals each week. Completing CLE courses, attending a therapy session, applying for gig work—small wins rebuild confidence.
Give yourself permission to grieve. You've suffered a significant loss. It's okay to feel sad, angry, or lost.

What to Tell Your Family, Colleagues, and Clients

One of the most agonizing aspects of a suspension is deciding what to say—and to whom. You're probably dreading the conversations, imagining judgment and disappointment. Let's walk through this practically.

What you're legally required to disclose:

Under Ohio Gov. Bar R. V, Section 24, you are required to notify all clients with pending matters within a specific timeframe (usually within 14 days of the effective date of the suspension, but confirm the exact deadline in your order). This notification must inform clients that you can no longer represent them, that they should seek substitute counsel, and that they may be entitled to a refund of any unearned fees. Your license defense attorney can help you draft this notification to ensure compliance.

You must also notify any courts or tribunals where you have pending cases and cooperate in the orderly transfer of files and responsibilities.

If you're employed by a law firm, your employment agreement may require you to disclose disciplinary actions to your employer or managing partners.

What's your choice to disclose:

Beyond these legal obligations, you decide what to share with friends, extended family, colleagues outside your firm, and your broader professional network. You are not required to announce your suspension to the world.

Sample script for clients:

"I am writing to inform you that, effective [date], my license to practice law in Ohio has been suspended by the Supreme Court of Ohio. As a result, I can no longer represent you in your legal matter. I recommend that you seek substitute counsel immediately to avoid any delay or prejudice to your case. I will cooperate fully in transferring your file to your new attorney. If you have paid fees for services I have not yet completed, you may be entitled to a refund. Please contact me at [contact information] to discuss next steps. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

Sample script for close colleagues or friends who ask:

"I'm going through a difficult professional situation right now. My law license has been temporarily suspended, and I'm working with an attorney to address it and apply for reinstatement. I'd appreciate your discretion and support during this time. I'm not able to discuss the details, but I'm taking the steps I need to take, and I'm hopeful about moving forward."

Sample script for family:

"I need to share something difficult. My law license has been suspended. This means I can't practice law right now, and I'm working on meeting the requirements to get reinstated. It's going to be a challenging period financially and emotionally, but I'm getting help and I have a plan. I need your support, not your judgment. I'll keep you updated as things progress."

Handling the rumor mill and public disclosure:

Your suspension will eventually be published in the Ohio State Bar Association Report and posted on the Supreme Court's website. People may see it. Colleagues may gossip. Former clients

THE ETHICS REPORTER