Can a paralegal take or defend a deposition, and can an out-of-state lawyer take a deposition in Ohio?

Plain-English summary

The Board answered three questions about who may conduct a deposition. First, a lawyer may not delegate taking or defending a deposition to a paralegal. Taking a deposition requires deciding what to ask based on legal analysis, and defending one requires recognizing improper questions and making objections; the Board described these as uniquely lawyer functions. Directing a paralegal to take a deposition, preparing questions for the paralegal to use, supervising the paralegal during it, or having the paralegal represent a deponent all assist the unauthorized practice of law under Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(a), supported by Ohio cases finding nonlawyers engaged in the unauthorized practice when they objected or made legal arguments at depositions.

Second, an out-of-state lawyer in good standing who regularly practices law may take or defend a deposition in Ohio when one of the temporary-practice exceptions in Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(c) applies: associating with an actively participating Ohio lawyer whose involvement is meaningful, not nominal (5.5(c)(1)); services reasonably related to a pending or potential Ohio or other-jurisdiction proceeding in which the lawyer is or expects to be authorized to appear, including pro hac vice litigation (5.5(c)(2)); ADR-related matters not requiring pro hac vice admission (5.5(c)(3)); or services reasonably related to the lawyer's home-jurisdiction practice (5.5(c)(4)).

Third, an Ohio lawyer may take or defend a deposition in a state where the lawyer is not licensed if that state permits it. Because Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(a) bars Ohio lawyers from the unauthorized practice of law in other jurisdictions, the lawyer should first consult the other state's rules and regulatory authority to confirm a non-licensed lawyer may take a deposition there.

In practice

Under this opinion, a lawyer may not delegate the taking or defending of a deposition to a paralegal, because the Board treats deposition conduct as a uniquely lawyer function and delegation as assisting the unauthorized practice of law. Per the opinion, an out-of-state lawyer may take or defend a deposition in Ohio only when a Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(c) temporary-practice exception applies, and where the exception rests on association with an Ohio lawyer, that lawyer's participation must be meaningful rather than nominal. The opinion concludes an Ohio lawyer may take or defend a deposition in another state where the lawyer is not licensed if that state permits it, after consulting that state's rules.

Common questions

Q: Can a paralegal take or defend a deposition under a lawyer's supervision?

A: No. The opinion concludes a lawyer may not delegate taking or defending a deposition to a paralegal; doing so, including preparing the questions or supervising the paralegal, assists the unauthorized practice of law under Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(a).

Q: Can an out-of-state lawyer take a deposition in Ohio?

A: Per the opinion, yes, if a Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(c) exception applies, such as associating with an actively participating Ohio lawyer or services related to a pending or potential proceeding for which the lawyer is or expects to be authorized to appear.

Q: How much must the local Ohio lawyer participate?

A: The opinion states the Ohio lawyer's participation must be meaningful, not nominal, with regular contact about the matter; the Ohio lawyer need not attend the deposition but should be available remotely if unable to attend.

Q: Can an Ohio lawyer take a deposition in a state where they are not licensed?

A: The opinion concludes yes, if that state permits it; the Ohio lawyer should first consult the other state's rules and regulatory authority to confirm it is not the unauthorized practice of law there.

Background and rules framework

The opinion interprets Prof.Cond.R. 5.5 (unauthorized practice of law; multijurisdictional practice; Model Rule 5.5), including the temporary-practice exceptions in division (c), together with the Ohio Rules for the Government of the Bar defining the unauthorized practice of law (Gov.Bar R. VII).

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• Ohio Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(a), 5.5(c)(1)-(4) and cmts. [5], [10], [11] (Model Rule 5.5)

Other authority:

• Gov.Bar R. VII §31(J)(1)(a); Gov.Bar R. I §19 (unauthorized practice; practice pending admission)

Cases:

• Columbus Bar Assn. v. Thomas, 109 Ohio St.3d 89, 2006-Ohio-1930; Mahoning Cty. Bar Assn. v. Rector, 62 Ohio Misc.2d 564 (1992); Disciplinary Counsel v. Brown, 99 Ohio St.3d 114, 2003-Ohio-2568, nonlawyer conduct at depositions
• State v. Foster, 674 So.2d 747 (Fla. App. 1996), deposition examination as a lawyer function

Other opinions cited:

• Pa. Bar Ass'n Op. 98-75; Mich. Ethics Op. RI-382 (2021); Ohio Adv. Op. 2002-4

See also

• Ohio BPC Op. 2004-011: Of-Counsel Relationships Across State Lines
• Ohio BPC Op. 2022-011: Sharing Office Space, Staff, and Dividing Fees

Source

• Landing page: https://ohioadvop.org/advisory-opinion-index/
• Original PDF: https://www.ohioadvop.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Adv.Op_.-2022-13-Final.pdf

Original opinion text

Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.

OPINION 2022-13
Issued December 9, 2022
Withdraws Adv. Op. 2002-4

         Taking of a Deposition by a Paralegal or Out-of-State Lawyer

   SYLLABUS:      A lawyer may not delegate the task of taking or defending a

deposition to a paralegal. An out-of-state lawyer may take or defend a deposition in Ohio
so long as he or she meets one of the exceptions contained in Prof.Cond.R. 5.5. An Ohio
lawyer may take or defend a deposition in a state outside Ohio in which the lawyer is not
licensed to practice law if permitted by that state

This nonbinding advisory opinion is issued by the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct
in response to a prospective or hypothetical question regarding the application of
ethics rules applicable to Ohio judges and lawyers. The Ohio Board of Professional
Conduct is solely responsible for the content of this advisory opinion, and the advice
contained in this opinion does not reflect and should not be construed as reflecting the
opinion of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Questions regarding this advisory opinion
should be directed to the staff of the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct.
 65 SOUTH FRONT STREET, 5TH FLOOR, COLUMBUS, OH 43215-3431
Telephone: 614.387.9370 Fax: 614.387.9379
www.bpc.ohio.gov

PATRICIA A. WISE RICHARD A. DOVE
CHAIR DIRECTOR
HON. D. CHRIS COOK D. ALLAN ASBURY
VICE- CHAIR SENIOR COUNSEL
KRISTI R. MCANAUL
COUNSEL

                                OPINION 2022-13
                             Issued December 9, 2022
                            Withdraws Adv. Op. 2002-4

          Taking of a Deposition by a Paralegal or Out-of-State Lawyer

SYLLABUS: A lawyer may not delegate the task of taking or defending a deposition to
a paralegal. An out-of-state lawyer may take or defend a deposition in Ohio so long as
he or she meets one of the exceptions contained in Prof.Cond.R. 5.5. An Ohio lawyer may
take or defend a deposition in a state outside Ohio in which the lawyer is not licensed to
practice law if permitted by that state.

QUESTIONS PRESENTED:

   1) May a lawyer delegate the task of taking a deposition to a paralegal?

   2) May an out-of-state lawyer not licensed in Ohio take a deposition in Ohio?

   3) May an Ohio lawyer take a deposition in a state in which the lawyer is not
       licensed?

APPLICABLE RULES: Prof.Cond.R. 5.5

OPINION:

Question 1: Deposition by a Paralegal

   The Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit lawyers from aiding a non-lawyer in

the unauthorized practice of law. Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(a). The Rules for the Government of
the Bar define the unauthorized practice of law as “the rendering of legal services for
another by any person not admitted to practice in Ohio under Rule I of the Supreme Court
Op. 2022-13 2

Rules of the Government of the Bar * * * .” The rule then lists multiple exceptions for
individuals not admitted to the bar in a traditional capacity, none of which has
application to a paralegal. Gov.Bar R. VII §31(J)(1)(a). In conducting a deposition,
counsel must determine what questions to ask based on sound application of the law.
The necessity of asking appropriate follow-up questions may rely on legal analysis of a
deponent’s answer. A person defending a deposition must identify if opposing counsel
is attempting to elicit inappropriate information and make appropriate objections. State
v. Foster, 674 So.2d 747 (Fla.App. 1996). “Without a doubt, the process of directly
examining or cross-examining a witness can affect important rights under the law.” Id.
at 753. One advisory committee has described conduct at depositions as “uniquely
lawyer functions that a nonlawyer assistant cannot perform.” Pa. Bar Ass’n Op. 98-75.

  Several cases provide guidance as to whether a lawyer may delegate the task of

taking a deposition to a paralegal. The Supreme Court has specifically indicated that a
paralegal engages in the unauthorized practice of law when he or she provides clients
legal advice without a lawyer’s supervision. Columbus Bar Assn. v. Thomas, 109 Ohio St.3d
89, 2006-Ohio-1930. At least two cases have addressed the deposition conduct of
individuals who are not admitted to the practice of law in Ohio. In Mahoning Cty. Bar
Assn v. Rector, 62 Ohio Misc.2d 564, 608 N.E.2d 866 (1992), the Court found that a non-
attorney corporate officer engaged in the unauthorized practice of law during a
deposition when he objected to questions asked of deponents by opposing counsel and
instructed a deponent not to answer a question. In Disciplinary Counsel v. Brown, 99 Ohio
St.3d 114, 2003-Ohio-2568, the Court found that a disbarred attorney engaged in the
unauthorized practice of law when he participated in pretrial conferences and
depositions on another’s behalf. During two depositions he entered objections on the
record and made legal arguments on the behalf of deponents. Id. at ¶4.

  The Board advises that a lawyer may not delegate the responsibility of taking or

defending a deposition to a paralegal. A lawyer who instructs a paralegal to take a
deposition, prepares deposition questions for a paralegal to use, supervises a paralegal
in taking a deposition, or instructs a paralegal to represent a deponent at a deposition is
assisting in the unauthorized practice of law.
Op. 2022-13 3

Question 2: Deposition by an Out-of-State Lawyer1

      An out-of-state lawyer who is admitted in another jurisdiction, is in good standing,

and regularly practices law may provide legal services in Ohio, on a temporary basis, in
certain circumstances. Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(c). These exceptions recognize that there are
circumstances where an out-of-state lawyer providing legal services in Ohio does not
create an unreasonable risk to the interests of clients, the public, or the courts. Id., cmt.
[5].

      First, an out-of-state lawyer may associate with a lawyer admitted in Ohio who

agrees to take responsibility for a matter and actively participates in the matter. Id. at
(c)(1). In that instance, the out-of-state lawyer may conduct a deposition in Ohio
regarding that matter. The degree of required participation by the lawyer admitted in
Ohio is a frequent question received by the Board. The participation of the Ohio lawyer
must be meaningful and not simply nominal. Mich. Ethics. Op. RI-382 (2021). The Board
believes the best practice is for the out-of-state lawyer and Ohio lawyer to have regular
contact. This contact should entail discussing any matters pertinent to Ohio law, any
procedural or substantive questions, and review of documents to be filed with the court.
Both lawyers should keep one another updated with any information regarding the
status of the matter. The Board believes that it is not necessary for the lawyer admitted
in Ohio to attend a deposition conducted by the out-of-state lawyer in order to actively
participate in the matter. In the event the out-of-state lawyer must take a deposition in
Ohio and the Ohio admitted lawyer is unable to attend, the Ohio lawyer should make
every effort to be available remotely to provide any necessary assistance to the out-of-
state lawyer.

      Second, an out-of-state lawyer may also provide services in Ohio that are

reasonably related to a pending or potential proceeding in a tribunal, either in Ohio or
another jurisdiction, if the lawyer is authorized to appear in such proceeding, or
reasonably expects to be so authorized. Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(c)(2). This conduct includes
activities in anticipation of a proceeding. Id. cmt. [10]. Taking or defending a deposition

1The out-of-state lawyer referenced in this section is one who is not admitted by any of the provisions for
admission or registration available pursuant to Gov. Bar.R. I, Gov. Bar R. VI, Gov. Bar R. XI, or Gov. Bar R.
XII.
Op. 2022-13 4

of a party or potential witness in Ohio is a permissible activity under this division. Thus,
if an out-of-state lawyer has already obtained pro hac vice admission or even reasonably
expects to be admitted pro hac vice for litigation in Ohio, he or she may take depositions
in Ohio related to that pending or potential proceeding. The rule also permits lawyers
associated with the out-of-state lawyer, but who do not expect to appear before the
tribunal, to assist in the matter. Id. cmt. [11]. Thus, subordinate lawyers associated with
the out-of-state lawyer may take a deposition in Ohio related to a pending or potential
proceeding. If an out-of-state lawyer is involved in litigation in his or her home
jurisdiction and must enter Ohio to conduct legal services, such as depositions, he or she
or associated subordinate lawyers may do so.

    Finally, when an out-of-state lawyer is providing services that arise out of or are

reasonably related to the lawyer’s practice in his or her home jurisdiction, he or she may
conduct or defend a deposition in Ohio in two additional circumstances. Under
Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(c)(3) it is permissible for an out-of-state lawyer to conduct or defend a
deposition that is related to an arbitration, mediation, or other alternative dispute
resolution process, for which pro hac vice admission is not required. Prof.Cond.R.
5.5(c)(4) allows out-of-state lawyers to engage in investigation, negotiation, and non-
litigation activities in Ohio. Thus, if the taking or defending of a deposition related to
any of these services becomes necessary, an out-of-state lawyer may do so in Ohio
pursuant to these two exceptions.2

Question 3: Deposition by an Ohio Lawyer in Another State

    The Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct prohibit Ohio lawyers from engaging in

the unauthorized practice of law in other jurisdictions. Prof.Cond.R. 5.5(a). All states
have adopted some version of Model Rule 5.5 addressing the multi-jurisdictional practice
of law. American Bar Association, Variations of the ABA Model Rules of Professional
Conduct - Rule 5.5,
https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibil

2
Adv. Op. 2002-4 addressed related considerations of whether out-of-state attorneys awaiting admission
on examination or law school graduates may take depositions in Ohio. Because the requestor did not
inquire as to those related groups, the Board will not address those considerations. However, the Board
notes that Gov.Bar R. I §19 now provides for a process to practice pending admission and refers readers to
that rule and section.
Op. 2022-13 5

ity/mrpc-5-5.pdf (accessed Nov. 8, 2022). Before taking or defending a deposition in a
state in which he or she is not licensed, an Ohio lawyer should consult the rules and laws
of that state, and the appropriate regulatory authority, to determine whether the taking
of a deposition by a lawyer not licensed therein constitutes the unauthorized practice of
law. An Ohio lawyer may take or defend a deposition in a state outside Ohio in which
the lawyer is not licensed to practice law if permitted by that state.