COLUMBUS Court suspends Girard lawyer

The punishment was recommended by the court's board of grievances and discipline.
By JEFF ORTEGA
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Supreme Court suspended a Girard lawyer Wednesday after a disciplinary probe revealed he continued to practice law after a 1993 suspension.
By a 5-2 vote, with Justices Evelyn Lundberg Stratton and Paul E. Pfeifer dissenting, the high court suspended the law license of Edward Luke Carson for two years, retroactive to May 8, but it lifted the second year of the suspension, meaning Carson can apply May 8, 2002 for reinstatement.
According to court records, an investigation showed that Carson continued to practice law despite having his license suspended in1993 for failure to meet continuing legal education requirements.
Carson had stopped practicing law May 8 after he confirmed he had not taken steps necessary to reactivate his law license following the earlier suspension, court records show.
In its ruling, the high court said it adopted the recommendations made by the court's Board of Grievances and Discipline, which considers matters of discipline involving lawyers and judges.
Disagrees: In her dissenting opinion, Justice Lundberg Stratton said she doesn't believe the punishment was warranted.
& quot;The respondent has had no other disciplinary complaint during those seven years, & quot; Lundberg Stratton wrote.
& quot;I believe we should suspend the two years and place respondent on probation with the condition that he keep current with all CLE [legal education] requirements. & quot;
Charles Kettlewell, a Columbus lawyer representing Carson, couldn't immediately be reached.