Ohio Tops In Bar Discipline Transparency

A bar discipline case scheduled for a December hearing in Ohio involves allegations that an attorney mishandled a judicial release matter where he had been retained on behalf of another by a person identified as Jane Doe.

The charges allege that after a hearing they “exchanged a kiss” and that evening had sexual intercourse at his home.

He allegedly sent her over a 100 personal text messages over the next ten days that were of a personal nature.

She refused his offer to “go away” with him and he later sent her a message that he missed her with a sad emoticon.

When she pressed him about the status of the matter he texted

When I know something I will let you know. I wish you had never fucking hired me. It’s not worth this shit.

His denies that he violated ethics rules and specifically the allegations regarding the sex and texts by responding that she was not a current client when the conduct took place. 

One interesting allegation is that the attorney is charged with, in essence, plagiarizing the work product of another attorney.

If you follow the above link,  note that the web page of the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct provides the most comprehensive easy access to information about pending cases of any court or bar.

This honor previously was held by North Carolina but Ohio’s recent improvements set the new standard for disciplinary systems everywhere.

Also note that none of the information provided by Ohio – charges, pleadings, motions, hearings, witness and exhibit lists etc. etc. – is available online in most jurisdictions including Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Most jurisdictions give only lip service to transparency. In D.C., it is nothing short of scandalous that bar charges – which are public documents – are not available online.

Ohio walks the walk. (Mike Frisch)