Columbus Bar Ass'n v. Boggs

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio disciplined Kenneth Ray Boggs for violating professional-conduct rules governing the segregation and accounting of client funds. The court imposed a one-year suspension from practice, stayed on conditions including one year of probation under a monitor's supervision and completion of continuing legal education in law-office management.

Holdings

1. Respondent violated DR 9-102(A) by commingling trust money with his own funds and mistakenly using his operating account as his trust account.
2. Respondent violated DR 9-102(B)(3) by failing to keep complete records of client funds and render appropriate accounts.
3. A one-year suspension from the practice of law, with enforcement stayed on conditions including one year of monitored probation and twelve hours of continuing legal education in law-office management, was a commensurate sanction.

Questions Presented

1. Whether respondent violated DR 9-102(A) by failing to maintain client funds separately from his own funds in an identifiable bank account.
2. Whether respondent violated DR 9-102(B)(3) by failing to maintain complete records of client funds and render appropriate accounts.
3. Whether a one-year suspension, stayed during one year of probation and subject to continuing-legal-education and monitoring conditions, was an appropriate sanction.

Disposition

other