On Friday, October 6, 2023, the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct recommended a public reprimand for attorney John Joseph Bush III for violating the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct. Bush was found to have knowingly made a false statement of fact or law to a tribunal.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Joseph John Bush III,” with case no. 2023-014.
The matter involving Bush’s conduct was brought to the attention of the Board after he prepared a name-change application and hearing notice on behalf of his daughter, Caroline, and signed his daughter’s name to the consent form without her knowledge or authorization. He then notarized the document, falsely stating that the consent form had been sworn to and signed in his presence by Caroline.
The matter was referred to the Board of Professional Conduct, which found that Bush had violated Professional Conduct Rule 3.3(a)(1) and recommended a public reprimand as the appropriate sanction. The Board considered several mitigating factors, including Bush’s lack of prior discipline, his full and free disclosure to the Board, and evidence of his good character or reputation.
The recommendation states:
“Pursuant to Gov. Bar R. V, Section 12, the Board of Professional Conduct considered this matter on October 6, 2023. The Board voted to accept the agreement entered into by Relator and Respondent and recommends that Respondent, John Joseph Bush III, be publicly reprimanded.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Bush III is an environmental and natural resources attorney in Youngstown, Ohio. He attended the University of Akron, C. Blake McDowell Law Center. He acquired his law license in Ohio in 1987.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
