Court News

March 10, 2003
Moyer appoints task force to review lawyer discipline code

Chief Justice Thomas Moyer has appointed an 18-member task force to review and recommend improvements in Ohio's current attorney ethics rules.

Moyer said the panel, to be chaired by 10th District Court of Appeals Judge Peggy Bryant, has been asked to consider as a threshold question whether Ohio should continue to operate under its own distinct Code of Professional Responsibility, or join 42 other states that have adopted largely standardized rule language and structure based on American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

"I am eager to receive the task force's recommendations on whether Ohio should consider adopting the ABA model rules," said Moyer. "I have also asked for suggestions about what, if any, revisions should be made in either our current rules or the ABA model rules to enhance consumer protection and ensure the proper and professional delivery of legal services."

Moyer noted that the task force, which will hold its first meeting Thursday, March 13 at the Supreme Court, includes judges, prosecutors, attorneys in private practice, legal educators, bar association ethics counsel, top officials of the state's current lawyer discipline system and two lay members who are familiar with legal ethics rules and grievance procedures.

Task force members include:

Judge Peggy Bryant, chair 10th District Court of Appeals Columbus	Professor William C. Becker Univ. of Akron School of Law
Bernard K. Bauer, attorney Findlay	Jonathan Coughlan Office of Disciplinary Counsel Columbus
Deborah Coleman, attorney Cleveland	Jonathan Marshall, Secretary Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline
Jack A. Guttenberg, Associate Dean Cleveland-Marshall College of Law	Professor Susan Martyn Univ. of Toledo College of Law
Jonathan Hollingsworth, attorney Dayton	Edwin W. "Terry" Patterson, General Counsel Cincinnati Bar Assn.
Charles W. Kettlewell, attorney Columbus	Teresa B. Proenza, lay member Akron
Judge Sara Lioi Stark County Common Pleas Court Canton	Heather G. Sowald, attorney Columbus
P. Eugene Long II Pickaway County Prosecutor Circleville	Brian D. Weaver, asst. public defender Dayton
	Robin G. Weaver, attorney Cleveland

CONTACT: Rick Dove, 614.466.4929, or Dennis Whalen, 614.466.5275.