Cuyahoga County Bar Ass'n v. Rockmael

Summary

The Ohio Supreme Court reviewed consolidated attorney-discipline proceedings against Les Evan Rockmael. The court adopted findings that Rockmael neglected client matters, misappropriated approximately $206,686.09 from client accounts, failed to return unearned fees, and failed to cooperate with bar investigations. The court permanently disbarred him from practicing law in Ohio and taxed costs to him.

Holdings

1. Respondent violated DR 1-102(A)(3), DR 1-102(A)(4), DR 1-102(A)(6), DR 2-110(A)(3), DR 6-101(A)(3), DR 6-102(A), DR 7-101(A)(2), DR 7-101(A)(3), DR 9-102(B)(3), DR 9-102(B)(4), and Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G).
2. Permanent disbarment from the practice of law in Ohio was warranted.

Questions Presented

1. Whether respondent violated the cited Ohio Code of Professional Responsibility provisions and Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G) through neglect, failure to perform contracted legal services, misappropriation of client funds, improper limitation of malpractice liability, and failure to cooperate with disciplinary investigations.
2. Whether permanent disbarment was the appropriate sanction for respondent's misconduct.

Disposition

other