Disciplinary Counsel v. Turner

Summary

The Supreme Court of Ohio imposed a two-year suspension on Talbert Randall Turner for depositing personal funds into and using a client trust account for personal and business expenses, and for failing to cooperate with a disciplinary investigation. The suspension was fully stayed on the condition that Turner commit no further misconduct.

Holdings

1. Turner's deposit of personal funds into his client trust account and use of that account for personal and business expenses violated Prof.Cond.R. 1.15(b) and 8.4(h).
2. Turner's failure to timely respond to demands for information and to assist in the disciplinary investigation violated Prof.Cond.R. 8.1(b) and Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G).
3. A two-year suspension, fully stayed on the condition that Turner engage in no further misconduct, was the appropriate sanction.

Questions Presented

1. Whether depositing personal funds into a client trust account and using that account for personal and business expenses violated Ohio's professional-conduct rules.
2. Whether failing to respond to demands for information and failing to assist in the disciplinary investigation violated Ohio's professional-conduct rules.
3. What sanction was appropriate in light of the misconduct and the aggravating and mitigating factors.

Disposition

other