Argument Interruptus

From the web page of the Ohio Supreme Court

An attorney who knew his law  license was suspended in Ohio but still argued a case before a state appeals  court was given another suspension today.

In a 6-1 decision, the Ohio  Supreme Court suspended David C. Eisler of Seattle for two years with the  second year stayed if he meets certain conditions.

Eisler was barred from practicing  law in Ohio on Nov. 13, 2012, because he hadn’t met his continuing legal  education (CLE) requirements. He received notice of this suspension on Nov. 20,  a week before he was scheduled to argue before the Ninth District Court of  Appeals.

Eisler said he decided to travel  to the Ohio court to address the problem in person. However, he did not tell  the appellate court about his suspension and went ahead with presenting his oral argument. The opposing lawyer disclosed Eisler’s suspension to the court, which  prohibited him from making a rebuttal argument and reported the misconduct to the state disciplinary counsel.

The court’s opinion is linked here. (Mike Frisch)