Avoidance Syndrome

The web page of the Ohio Supreme Court summarizes a disciplinary case decided today:

The Supreme Court of Ohio has suspended the law license of [an] attorney for two years, with 18 months of that term stayed on conditions, for neglecting a legal matter entrusted to him by a client and then avoiding the client until after the statutory time limit for filing her claim had expired. [His] license has been under an administrative suspension since May 2007 for failure to comply with continuing legal education requirements.

The Court adopted findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that [his] dealings with his client violated multiple state attorney discipline rules including those that prohibit an attorney from accepting legal work without adequate preparation, failing to competently represent a client, intentionally failing to pursue the lawful objectives of a client and intentionally failing to carry out a contract for professional services. 

Among conditions set for [his] reinstatement after the first six months of today’s suspension, the Court directed that he must remain in compliance with a recovery contract with the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program, serve a two-year monitored probation period, pay $350 in restitution to his client and provide medical evidence that he has been successfully treated for a psychological condition that contributed to his misconduct and that he is able to return to the competent and ethical practice of law.

The court’s decision is linked here.  (Mike Frisch)