Cleveland Bar Ass'n v. Judge

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio indefinitely suspended attorney Thomas J. Judge for neglecting two clients’ disability-benefit matters, failing to pursue their claims, and failing to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation. The court adopted the board’s findings and recommendation and taxed costs to the respondent.

Holdings

1. Judge's conduct violated DR 1-102(A)(6), DR 6-101(A)(2), DR 6-101(A)(3), DR 7-101(A)(1), DR 7-101(A)(2), DR 7-101(A)(3), Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G), and Gov.Bar R. V(6)(A)(1).
2. An indefinite suspension from the practice of law is appropriate where neglect of legal matters is coupled with failure to cooperate in the ensuing disciplinary investigation, particularly when the neglect prejudices the clients' interests.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Judge's neglect of two clients' disability-benefit matters and failure to cooperate with the disciplinary investigation violated the cited disciplinary rules.
2. What sanction was appropriate for the violations.

Disposition

other