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2007-1593. Akron Bar Assn. v. Markovich, Slip Opinion No. 2008-Ohio-862.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 06-059. Edward P. Markovich, Attorney Registration No. 0068046, is suspended from the practice of law in Ohio for one year, with six months stayed on conditions, including an 18-month monitored probation.
Pfeifer, Lundberg Stratton, O'Donnell, Lanzinger, and Cupp, JJ., concur.
Moyer, C.J., and O'Connor, J., dissent.
Opinion: http://www.supremecourtofohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2008/2008-Ohio-862.pdf
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(March 6, 2008) The Supreme Court of Ohio today suspended the law license of Akron attorney Edward P. Markovich for 12 months, with the last six months stayed on conditions, for multiple violations of state attorney discipline rules. Markovich’s license has been under an interim remedial suspension imposed by the Court since Jan. 28.
The Court adopted findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that Markovich committed professional misconduct in cases involving seven different clients. Among other infractions, the Court found that Markovich neglected two clients’ cases, helped a client violate a civil protection order, filed an unapproved dismissal entry, borrowed money from a client without proper advance disclosure, and misused his client trust account to pay an office assistant. By a vote of 5-2, the Court also adopted the disciplinary board’s recommended sanction of a one-year suspension with six months stayed.
Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer entered a dissent, joined by Justice Maureen O’Connor, stating that in light of the number and severity of Markovich’s rule violations, he would impose a 12-month license suspension with no portion of that period stayed.
Contacts
William G. Chris, 330.434.3000, for the Akron Bar Association.
Edward Markovich, pro se: 330.384.1623.