Clients' Security Fund

23 Victims of Attorney Theft Awarded More Than $200,000 By Clients' Security Fund
Lawyers' Fund Has Awarded Over $5 Million to Consumers Since Inception

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janet Green Marbley
614.387.9390

COLUMBUS, OHIO (December 6, 2002) -- The Board of Commissioners of the Clients' Security Fund of Ohio (CSF), met on Friday, Dec. 6, 2002 and awarded $209,292 to 23 victims of attorney theft. Twelve former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.

The CSF Board of Commissioners awarded $48,683 to the South Side Community Action Association, which was represented by former Columbus attorney Louis Bernard LaCour. The Board found that Mr. LaCour agreed to represent the Association, made up of residents of a south side Columbus neighborhood, in a class action law suit against Georgia Pacific. Mr. LaCour failed to provide the services requested, resulting in a dismissal of the action. LaCour was initially suspended by the Supreme Court of Ohio on the condition that he reimburse the Association. He later surrendered his license to practice law in Ohio.

Former Dayton attorney Fuad B. Nasrallah, Jr. accepted fees from eleven of his former clients but failed to provide the services requested. The CSF Board awarded a total of $32,780 to Mr. Nasrallah's former clients. Mr. Nasrallah was disbarred by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Jan. 16, 2002. As a result of his disbarment, Mr. Nasrallah cannot practice law in the state of Ohio.

Former clients of two Toledo, Ohio attorneys were awarded $50,000 each, the maximum amount that may be awarded by the CSF, as a result of thefts committed by their attorneys. John Ludeman misappropriated assets from an estate he was representing. Mr. Ludeman was found guilty of theft and served almost two years of a five-year prison sentence. He resigned from the practice of law in 1999. Michael E. McGill settled a case for his client, forged their name on the settlement check, and misappropriated the proceeds of the settlement. Mr. McGill resigned from the practice of law in 2000.

A former law client of former Fairborn Municipal Court Judge Joe R. Fodalwas awarded $775.00 as a result of Fodal's failure to provide the legal services requested. Fodal served as judge from 1990 to 1996, when he was defeated in his bid for re-election. Prior to his judgeship, he spent 17 years as the prosecuting attorney for Fairborn, Beavercreek, and Bath Township. In June 2001, the Supreme Court of Ohio indefinitely suspended Mr. Fodal's license to practice law.

The CSF awarded a total of $535.00 to two former law clients of disbarred attorney Alfred Dahling as a result of his failure to provide the legal services requested. Mr. Dahling, a former judge who is now deceased, practiced law in Lake, Ashtabula, and Trumbull counties. By order dated Oct. 25, 2000, the Supreme Court of Ohio permanently disbarred Mr. Dahling from the practice of law in Ohio. Mr. Dahling passed away on Jan. 20, 2001.

Suspended Cleveland attorney Michael Shafranwas found to have misappropriated $1,500 in settlement funds belonging to one of his former clients. Mr. Shafran was suspended from the practice of law on May 2, 2000. Since June 1999, the CSF has awarded more than $340,000 to 42 of Mr. Shafran's former clients.

A former client of Milford, Ohio attorney Albert J. Henry, IV was awarded $21,412 as a result of Henry's conversion of funds belonging to the client. Mr. Henry resigned from the practice of law on Sept. 14, 2001.

A former client of Mansfield, Ohio attorney Barry F. Brickley was awarded $450.00 as a result of Brickley's failure to provide the legal services requested. Mr. Brickley's license to practice law was indefinitely suspended on Dec. 4, 2002.

The CSF Board of Commissioners also awarded $365.00 to a former client of Franklin County attorney Charles E. Smith. The Board found that Smith failed to account for a portion of settlement proceeds belonging to his client. Mr. Smith's license to practice law was suspended on May 23, 2002.

Clients of two Cincinnati, Ohio attorneys also received reimbursement from the CSF. A former client of Martin Watson was awarded $850.00 as a result of Watson's failure to provide the legal services requested. By order dated July 18, 2001, the Supreme Court of Ohio indefinitely suspended Mr. Watson from the practice of law in Ohio. A former client of R. Bruce Selnick was awarded $1,942 as a result of Mr. Selnick's misappropriation of client funds. Mr. Selnick was permanently disbarred by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Dec. 19, 2001.

The CSF was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court of Ohio to compensate victims of attorney theft. The CSF is not taxpayer funded, but funded entirely by registration fees paid by every Ohio attorney. Ohio has over 37,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than one tenth of one percent (1%) of those attorneys are involved in CSF claims.

Law clients who believe they have sustained financial losses resulting from attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation should contact the CSF by calling 614.387.9390 or 1.800.231.1680 toll free in Ohio.