[This opinion has been published in Ohio Official Reports at 

.]




                                      IN RE LEWIS.
                        [Cite as In re Lewis, 

.]
     (No. 2025-0392—Submitted March 19, 2025—Decided March 21, 2025.)
              ON CERTIFICATION OF DEFAULT OF CHILD SUPPORT ORDER.
                                ____________________
        {¶ 1} On March 19, 2025, and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(18)(A)(3), the
director of the Board of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court of Ohio
submitted to this court a certified copy of a determination of default of a child-
support order by respondent, Matthew Merritt Lewis, an attorney licensed to
practice law in the State of Ohio.
        {¶ 2} Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(18)(A)(4),
it is ordered and decreed that respondent, Matthew Merritt Lewis, Attorney

 last known business address in Canfield, Ohio, is
suspended from the practice of law for an interim period, effective as of the date of
this entry.
        {¶ 3} It is further ordered that this matter is referred to disciplinary counsel
for investigation and commencement of disciplinary proceedings.
        {¶ 4} It is further ordered that respondent immediately cease and desist from
the practice of law in any form and that respondent is forbidden to appear on behalf
of another before any court, judge, commission, board, administrative agency, or
other public authority.
        {¶ 5} It is further ordered that effective immediately, respondent is
forbidden to counsel, advise, or prepare legal instruments for others or in any
manner perform legal services for others.
                              SUPREME COURT OF OHIO




        {¶ 6} It is further ordered that respondent is divested of each, any, and all
of the rights, privileges, and prerogatives customarily accorded to a member in
good standing of the legal profession of Ohio.
        {¶ 7} It is further ordered that before entering into an employment,
contractual, or consulting relationship with any attorney or law firm, respondent
shall verify that the attorney or law firm has complied with the registration
requirements of Gov.Bar R. V(23)(C). If employed pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(23),
respondent shall refrain from direct client contact except as provided in Gov.Bar R.
V(23)(A)(1) and from receiving, disbursing, or otherwise handling any client trust
funds or property.
        {¶ 8} It is further ordered that respondent shall not be reinstated to the
practice of law until (1) the Board of Professional Conduct files in accordance with
Gov.Bar R. V(18)(D)(1)(b) with the Supreme Court a certified copy of a judgment
entry reversing the determination of default under a child-support order, or it files
in accordance with Gov.Bar R. V(18)(D)(1)(c) with the Supreme Court a notice
from a court or child-support-enforcement agency that respondent is no longer in
default under a child-support order or is subject to a withholding or deduction notice
or a new or modified child-support order to collect current support or any arrearage
due under the child-support order that was in default and is complying with that
notice or order, and (2) this court orders respondent reinstated to the practice of
law.
        {¶ 9} It is further ordered that respondent shall keep the clerk and
disciplinary counsel advised of any change of address where respondent may
receive communications.
        {¶ 10} It is further ordered, sua sponte, that all documents filed with this
court in this case shall meet the filing requirements set forth in the Rules of Practice
of the Supreme Court of Ohio, including requirements as to form, number, and




                                           2
                                  January Term, 2025




timeliness of filings. All case documents are subject to Sup.R. 44 through 47 which
govern access to court records.
       {¶ 11} It is further ordered that service shall be deemed made on respondent
by sending this order, and all other orders in this case, to respondent’s last known
address.
       {¶ 12} It is further ordered that the clerk of this court issue certified copies
of this order as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(E)(1) and that publication be
made as provided for in Gov.Bar R. V(17)(E)(2).
       KENNEDY, C.J., and FISCHER, DEWINE, BRUNNER, DETERS, HAWKINS, and
SHANAHAN, JJ., concur.
                               _________________




                                          3