Dec. 8, 2008
Victims of Attorney Theft Awarded More Than $125,000 by Clients’ Security Fund
More Than $12 Million Returned to Consumers Since Fund’s Inception
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients’ Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $125,061.62 to 26 victims of attorney theft at its meeting Friday. Eleven former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.
More information about the disciplinary cases against some of these attorneys is available on the online docket of the Supreme Court of Ohio at: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/Clerk/ecms/searchbypartyname.asp.
Cuyahoga County
The Board determined that former clients of two Cuyahoga County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. Two former clients of former attorney James L. Major Jr. were reimbursed a total of $2,775 as a result of Major’s failure to provide the services requested. Major resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Sept. 28, 2007.
A former client of former attorney Michael L. Zaremsky was reimbursed $3,000 as a result of Zaremsky’s failure to provide the services requested. Zaremsky resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on May 30, 2006.
Franklin County
The Board determined that former clients of three Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. Four former clients of suspended Franklin County attorney Madry L. Ellis were reimbursed a total of $14,000 as a result of Mr. Ellis’ failure to provide the services requested. Ellis’ license to practice law was suspended on Oct. 16, 2008.
Nine former clients of Christopher G. Gueli were reimbursed a total of $27,787.50 as a result of his failure to provide the services requested. Gueli was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Sept. 25, 2008.
A former client of former attorney Daniel S. Smith was reimbursed $1,000 as a result of Smith’s failure to provide the services requested. Smith was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Feb. 15, 2006.
Hamilton County
The Board determined that three former clients of suspended Hamilton County attorney Kenneth L. Lawson were eligible for reimbursement of legal fees paid to Lawson for services that he failed to provide. The Board reimbursed a total of $8,750 to Lawson’s former clients. Lawson’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on July 9, 2008.
Lake County
The Board determined that a former client of Lake County attorney Mark M. Simonelli was eligible for reimbursement of $220 paid to Simonelli for legal services that he failed to provide. Simonelli was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on April 18, 2007.
Lucas County
A former client of suspended attorney Jeffrey T. Lowden was reimbursed $300. The Board determined that Lowden failed to provide the services requested. Lowden’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended on March 20, 2008.
Marion County
The Board determined that a former estate client of deceased Marion County attorney Frank K. Reber was eligible for reimbursement of $60,429.12. The Board’s decision was based upon a finding that prior to his death, Reber failed to distribute or otherwise account for funds belonging to the estate. Reber’s death occurred on April 22, 2007.
Stark County
A former client of suspended Stark County attorney Steven L. Lo Dico was reimbursed $6,000 as a result of Lo Dico’s failure to provide the services requested. Lo Dico was suspended indefinitely from the practice of law in Ohio on May 29, 2008.
Trumbull County
The Board reimbursed a total of $800 to two former clients of deceased Trumbull County attorney Charles I. Swartz. The Board found that Swartz received funds for legal services that he failed to provide prior to his death on May 28, 2007.
The CSF was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court 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 35,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than one-tenth of 1 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 toll-free in Ohio at 1.800.231.1680.
Contact Chris Davey or Bret Crow, 614.387.9250.