Sept. 1, 2009
Victims of Attorney Theft Awarded More Than $140,000 by Clients' Security Fund
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients’ Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $144,477 to 25 victims of attorney theft at its meeting Friday. Fifteen former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds.
To access more information about the disciplinary cases against some of these attorneys visit the Supreme Court of Ohio’s online docket.
Cuyahoga County
The board determined that former clients of six Cuyahoga County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. Five former clients of former attorney James L. Major Jr. were reimbursed a total of $16,125 as a result of Mr. Major’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Major resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Sept. 28, 2007.
A former client of former attorney John A. Frenden was reimbursed $500 as a result of Mr. Frenden’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Frenden resigned from the practice law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Aug. 25, 2009.
A former client of former attorney Alexander Jurczenko was reimbursed $1,000 as a result of Mr. Jurczenko’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Jurczenko was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on July 25, 2007.
A former client of former attorney Cynthia D. Smith was reimbursed $1,696 as a result of Ms. Smith’s failure to provide the services requested. Ms. Smith resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Oct. 23, 2007.
A former client of suspended attorney Rene’ D. Smith was reimbursed $250 as a result of Ms. Smith’s failure to provide the services requested. Ms. Smith’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended on Dec. 3, 2008.
A former client of former attorney Richard F. Smith Jr. was reimbursed $1,000 as a result of Mr. Smith’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Smith was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Aug. 29, 2007.
Franklin County
The board determined that former clients of three Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. Two former clients of suspended attorney Madry L. Ellis were reimbursed a total of $17,000 as a result of Mr. Ellis’ failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Ellis was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Oct. 16, 2008.
A former client of former Franklin County attorney Christopher G. Gueli was reimbursed $1,500 as a result of Mr. Gueli’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Gueli was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Sept. 25, 2008.
A former client of former attorney Andrew R. Haney was reimbursed $3,000 as a result of Mr. Haney’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Haney resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Aug. 30, 2007.
Hamilton County
The board determined that two former clients of suspended attorney Kenneth L. Lawson were eligible for a total of $15,166 in reimbursements of legal fees paid to Mr. Lawson for services that he failed to provide. Mr. Lawson’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on July 9, 2008, and a felony suspension was entered on July 31, 2009.
Lucas County
The board determined that former clients of two Lucas County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. Two former clients of suspended attorney Gerald A. Baker were reimbursed a total of $5,140 as a result of Mr. Baker’s dishonest conduct. Mr. Baker was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on May 28, 2009.
Four former clients of former attorney Karyn McConnell Hancock were reimbursed a total of $80,200 as a result of Ms. McConnell Hancock’s conversion of client funds. Ms. McConnell Hancock resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on April 29, 2008.
Stark County
A former client of deceased attorney John H. Frieg was reimbursed $400 paid to Mr. Frieg for services that were not provided prior to his death. Mr. Frieg passed away on May 23, 2007.
Summit County
The board determined that former clients of two Summit County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement from the fund. The board reimbursed $1,000 to a former client of former attorney Edward P. Markovich as a result of his failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Markovich resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Oct. 16, 2008.
A former client of suspended attorney Michael Shafran was reimbursed $500 paid to Mr. Shafran to provide mediation services. Mr. Shafran was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on May 2, 2000.
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 at 614.387.9390 or toll-free in Ohio at 1.800.231.1680.
Contact: Janet Green Marbley, 614.387.9390, or Chris Davey, 614.387.9250.