Discipline Day In Ohio

Four bar discipline decisions from the Ohio Supreme Court

December 24, 2019

Toledo Bar Assn v. Bishop
Slip Opinion No. 2019-Ohio-5288
Summary

A Toledo attorney who made his wife and son’s Boy Scout troop the potential recipients of an elderly client’s $38,000 insurance benefit was suspended for two years, with one year stayed, by the Ohio Supreme Court today.

In a unanimous per curiam opinion, the Supreme Court agreed with the Board of Professional Conduct that Jerry J. Bishop II not only altered an elderly couple’s financial documents without their consent, but also lied about his behavior during disciplinary proceedings.

Columbus Bar Assn. v. Striff
Slip Opinion No. 2019-Ohio-5285
Summary

A Northwest Ohio bankruptcy attorney was indefinitely suspended by the Ohio Supreme Court today based on wrongful acts while representing bankruptcy clients, his felony conviction for theft, and another felony conviction for forgery that related in part to his altering a check from $6.56 to $2,344.44 and cashing it.

In a unanimous per curiam opinion, the Supreme Court found Christopher W. Striff Jr. violated several of the rules governing the conduct of Ohio attorneys in conjunction with his misconduct. The Court noted Striff’s “candid testimony and sincere remorse” expressed at his disciplinary hearing justified an indefinite suspension instead of permanent disbarment.

Disciplinary Counsel v. Cheselka
Slip Opinion No. 2019-Ohio-5286
Summary

Disciplinary Counsel v. Walden
Slip Opinion No. 2019-Ohio-5287
Summary

The Ohio Supreme Court issued partially stayed suspensions to two Ohio lawyers who neglected client matters and made false statements during their disciplinary proceedings.

• Michael J. Cheselka Jr. of Cleveland was suspended for two years with one year stayed with conditions.
• Derek J. Walden of Columbus was suspended for two years with 18 months stayed with conditions.

The Disciplinary Board recently filed a number of reports

Cuyahoga County

Disciplinary Counsel v. Marilyn Abrienne Cramer
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1739
Recommended sanction: Indefinite suspension

Disciplinary Counsel v. Barbara Porzio
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1746
Recommended sanction: Six-month suspension, stayed

Disciplinary Counsel v. Mark Minor George
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1747
Recommended sanction: Indefinite suspension, no credit for time served under interim felony suspension

Disciplinary Counsel v. Harold McClure Schwarz
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1738
Recommended sanction: Indefinite suspension, no credit for time served under interim felony suspension

Delaware County

Disciplinary Counsel v. Scott Atway
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1741
Recommended sanction: Two-year suspension, credit for time served under interim felony suspension

Franklin County

Disciplinary Counsel v. Austin Roan Buttars
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1722
Recommended sanction: Indefinite suspension, no credit for time served under interim felony suspension

Geauga County

Disciplinary Counsel v. Jared Lee Wilson
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1720
Recommended sanction: Indefinite suspension, credit for time served under interim felony suspension

Lorain County

Lorain County Bar Association v. John Stanley Haynes
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1721
Recommended sanction: Six-month suspension, stayed

Lucas County

Toledo Bar Association v. Mark David Berling
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1743
Recommended sanction: Two-year suspension

Ottawa County

Disciplinary Counsel v. James Louis Reinheimer
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1742
Recommended sanction: Public reprimand

Portage County

Disciplinary Counsel v. Hon. Rebecca L. Doherty
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1736
Recommended sanction: Public reprimand

Warren County

Disciplinary Counsel v. Edward Paul Brueggeman
Supreme Court Case No. 2019-1734
Recommended sanction: Two-year suspension, 18 months stayed

Disciplinary Counsel v. William Matthew Tinch
Supreme Court Case No. 2018-1178
Recommended sanction: Indefinite suspension, no credit for time served under interim suspensions

Any jurisdiction that cares about bar discipline transparency would do well to emulate Ohio. (Mike Frisch)