Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Harwood

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio accepted a consent-to-discipline agreement finding that Christopher S. Harwood violated professional-conduct rules while representing clients referred by foreclosure companies. The misconduct included failing to exercise independent professional judgment, assisting the unauthorized practice of law, sharing legal fees with nonlawyers, and failing to disclose the absence of professional-liability insurance. The court imposed a six-month suspension, stayed in full on the condition that Harwood commit no further misconduct.

Holdings

1. Harwood's conduct violated Prof.Cond.R. 1.1, 1.3, 1.4(c), 5.4(a), and 5.5(a), and the court accepted the Board's findings of misconduct.
2. A six-month suspension from the practice of law, with the entire suspension stayed on the condition that Harwood commit no further misconduct, was an appropriate sanction.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Harwood committed professional misconduct by failing to exercise independent professional judgment, provide competent and diligent representation, communicate required information, comply with restrictions on fee sharing, and avoid assisting the unauthorized practice of law.
2. Whether a six-month suspension stayed in its entirety on the condition of no further misconduct was an appropriate sanction.

Disposition

other