Bar Discipline In Action

A disciplinary case argued today (link here) before the Ohio Supreme Court in a matter involving protracted dishonesty clearly engaged the court’s interest.

The court’s questions to both counsel showed an acute awareness of the public interest in bar regulation. 

From the audio web page

The Board of Professional Conduct recommends a one-year suspension, with six months stayed, for Bowling Green attorney Andrew R. Schuman. The board determined that Schuman charged an excessive fee as a guardian ad litem, improperly started garnishment proceedings against one of the parents, altered documents submitted to the court, and misrepresented to the court the amount he was owed.

Scott Drexel for the Board on Professional Responsibility articulates the reasons favoring an actual suspension for the conceded misconduct. Jeffrey Nunnari for the Respondent makes a plea for individualized (favorable) consideration that draws a fair degree of pushback from various justices.

Worth watching and at under 27 minutes this video offers an excellent law school teaching tool on the wages of sin. (Mike Frisch)