This case summary comes from Kathleen Maloney on the web page of the Ohio Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Ohio today  suspended a Cincinnati attorney for two years for violating rules of  professional conduct. The final 18 months of the suspension will be stayed if  the attorney meets certain conditions.

The Cincinnati Bar Association,  which filed the charges in this case, and Steven J. McBeth agreed to the facts concerning  McBeth’s misconduct in a consent-to-discipline agreement that the court  unanimously adopted.

In 2011, McBeth accepted a client  who was suing his former girlfriend for property and personal injury damages.  McBeth told the client he had filed a lawsuit when he had not. He also spent  the client’s $1,500 retainer on personal items.   Over a six-month period, McBeth did not respond to repeated attempts by  the client to reach him.

In addition, McBeth owed a total  of $825 to two other clients. He has paid back each of the clients.

The agreement noted that McBeth  has suffered from chemical dependency and mental health issues.

In adopting the two-year  suspension, the court agreed that the sanction will be stayed for 18 months if  McBeth enters into and complies with a contract with the Ohio Lawyers  Assistance Program and commits no additional misconduct. When McBeth is  reinstated to the practice of law, he must serve monitored probation for 18  months, the court ruled.

2013-0569. Cincinnati  Bar Assn. v. McBeth, Slip  Opinion No. 2014-Ohio-1611.

(Mike Frisch)