Pattern Of Misconduct

An attorney who had violated a wide array of ethics rules in seven matters was suspended for one-year with six months conditionally stayed by the Ohio Supreme Court. The misconduct involved neglect and incompetence, taking a loan from a client, misrepresentation in a voluntary dismissal and contempt in the course of a criminal case. He also violated a civil protection order that forbade contact through any person with the victim or her babysitter. The attorney approached the front door of that person “to confront the babysitter inside…[the lawyer] intended to intimidate the babysitter to gain an advantage for his client.”

A dissent would impose harsher discipline: “Respondent’s instances of misconduct were varied, frequent, and offensive to the profession and the public we serve. In the ten years that he has been admitted to practice in Ohio, respondent has engaged in a pattern of misconduct.” (Mike Frisch)