On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the Supreme Court of Ohio disapproved the application of Jeffery Allen Johns, Jr. to register as a candidate for admission to the Ohio Bar. The decision was made after a thorough investigation into John’s character, fitness, and moral qualifications.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Jeffery Allen Johns, Jr.,” with case no. 2023-Ohio-3679
Johns applied to register as a candidate for admission to the Ohio bar in 2019, but his application was provisionally approved by the Cincinnati Bar Association Admissions Committee. However, the Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness sua sponte invoked its authority to investigate Johns’ character and fitness to practice law.
The investigation found that Johns had failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he presently has the character, fitness, and moral qualifications to practice law in Ohio. The panel found that Johns had a history of criminal convictions, a recent violation of a civil protection order, concerns about his lack of accountability, allegations from attorney Paul Hervey, and disregard for the law.
The panel recommended that Johns be allowed to reapply for admission in Ohio after January 1, 2024. The Board of Commissioners on Character and Fitness unanimously adopted the panel’s report and recommendation in March 2023.
The Supreme Court of Ohio adopted the board’s recommendations, finding that Johns had failed to establish by clear and convincing evidence that he presently has the character, fitness, and moral qualifications to practice law in Ohio. The court found that Johns had a history of deception and lack of accountability and that he had failed to take responsibility for his actions.
The court noted that Johns had been convicted of criminal offenses, had violated a civil protection order, and had failed to disclose material information on his law school application. The court also found that Johns had been dishonest and lacked integrity and that he had failed to demonstrate the necessary character and fitness to practice law in Ohio.
Accordingly, the court disapproved John’s application to register as a candidate for admission to the Ohio bar. The court ordered that Johns be permitted to reapply for admission at a later date, but only after he has established by clear and convincing evidence that he possesses the necessary character, fitness, and moral qualifications to practice law in Ohio.
The conclusion states:
“Accordingly, we disapprove Johns’ s pending application but permit him to reapply to register as a candidate for admission to practice law in Ohio in January 2024.”
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
