Court News
March 13, 2006
Clients' Security Fund Awards More Than $370,000 to Victims of Attorney Theft
FUND HAS AWARDED MORE THAN $10 MILLION TO CONSUMERS SINCE INCEPTION
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients' Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $371,297 to 30 victims of attorney theft at its meeting on Friday, March 10, 2006. Fourteen former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.
The CSF was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court of Ohio to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation. The CSF is not taxpayer funded, but funded entirely by registration fees paid by every Ohio attorney. Ohio has more than 40,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than one tenth of one percent of those attorneys is 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.
Brown County
The CSF Board of Commissioners reimbursed $700 to a client of former Brown County attorney Edward L. Harp after finding that he accepted fees but failed to provide the services requested. Mr. Harp was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on March 11, 2004. On Sept. 2, 2004, Mr. Harp surrendered his license to practice law in Ohio, with discipline pending.
Butler County
The CSF Board of Commissioners awarded a total of $165,000 in reimbursement to three former clients of former Butler County attorney James Dodge. Mr. Dodge resigned from the practice of law in Ohio on Dec. 12, 2003 following his conviction for fraud and theft on Sept. 29, 2003.
Cuyahoga County
Former clients of four Cuyahoga County attorneys were reimbursed by the Clients' Security Fund of Ohio as a result of the attorneys' failure to provide the services requested. A former client of attorney Michael F. Dadisman was reimbursed $750 in legal fees paid to Mr. Dadisman for services that he failed to provide. Mr. Dadisman was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio in July, 2004.
A client of deceased attorney Steven L. Howland, also of Cuyahoga County, was reimbursed $1,500 paid to Mr. Howland for services that he failed to provide. Mr. Howland passed away on Dec. 26, 2000. A former client of suspended attorney David Lawrence was reimbursed $22,000 as a result of his failure to distribute funds received on behalf of his client. Mr. Lawrence was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Dec. 24, 2003. A client of deceased attorney William M. Randle was reimbursed $650 in legal fees paid to Mr. Randle for services that were not provided. Mr. Randle passed away on July 9, 2004.
Franklin County
The CSF Board of Commissioners determined that a former client of suspended Franklin County attorney Perry R. Silverman was eligible for reimbursement of $75,000 as a result of Mr. Silverman's failure to release or otherwise account for client funds. Mr. Silverman was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio by the Supreme Court of Ohio on May 10, 2004.
Greene County
A former client of former Greene County attorney Jerome R. Hamilton was reimbursed $10,000 in fees paid to Hamilton for services that were not provided. Mr. Hamilton resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Dec. 20, 2004.
Hamilton County
A former client of deceased Hamilton County attorney Robert F. Barnes was awarded $5,548 in reimbursement following the CSF Board's determination that Mr. Barnes failed to provide the services for which he was hired. Mr. Barnes passed away on Sept. 7, 2001.
Mahoning County
Thirteen clients of former Mahoning County attorney Mark S. Colucci were reimbursed a total of $86,375 as a result of Mr. Colucci's failure to provide the services requested and his failure to account for client funds. Mr. Colucci resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Dec. 2, 2004.
Montgomery County
The CSF Board determined that suspended Montgomery County attorney Daniel L. O'Brien accepted $1,100 in legal fees and then failed to provide the services requested. Mr. O'Brien was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Aug. 11, 2004.
Perry County
A former client of suspended Perry County attorney Curtis Griffith, Jr. was reimbursed $500 in legal fees paid for services that Mr. Griffith failed to provide. Griffith was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Nov. 24, 2004.
Summit County
A former client of deceased Summit County attorney Richard McCune was reimbursed $1,500 as a result of Mr. McCune's failure to provide the services requested. Mr. McCune passed away on June 11, 2003.
Van Wert County
Three estate beneficiaries were reimbursed a total of $674.33 in legal fees paid to former Van Wert County attorney George Crummey due to his failure to provide services required to complete the administration of the estate. Mr. Crummey resigned from the practice of law, with discipline pending, on Nov. 14, 2003.
Contact: Janet Green Marbley 614.387.9390 or Chris Davey 614.387.9250.