Dec. 8, 2009
Victims of Attorney Theft Awarded Nearly $270,000 by Clients' Security Fund
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients’ Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $269,983 to 33 victims of attorney theft at its meeting Friday. Seventeen 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 please visit the Supreme Court of Ohio’s online docket.
Butler County
The board of commissioners reimbursed six clients of former attorney Karan M. Horan a total of $17,276 as a result of her failure to provide the services requested. Horan was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Aug. 26.
Cuyahoga County
The board determined that former clients of four Cuyahoga County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. A former client of former attorney John A. Frenden was reimbursed $405 as a result of Frenden’s failure to provide the services requested. Frenden resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Aug. 25.
A former client of attorney Patrick P. Leneghan was reimbursed $3,000 as a result of Leneghan’s failure to complete the services requested. Leneghan was publicly reprimanded by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Feb. 14, 2008.
A former client of former attorney James L. Major Jr. was reimbursed $3,127 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 disbarred attorney Richard F. Smith Jr. was reimbursed $500 as a result of his failure to provide the services requested. Smith was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Aug. 29, 2007.
Franklin County
The board determined that former clients of six Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. A former client of suspended Franklin County attorney Thomas J. Broschak was reimbursed $2,500 as a result of his failure to provide the services requested. Broschak was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on May 15, 2008.
A former client of deceased attorney Paul R. Brown was reimbursed $710 as a result of Brown’s failure to complete the services prior to his death. Brown died on Dec. 8, 2006.
A former client of suspended Franklin County attorney Madry L. Ellis was reimbursed $2,500 as a result of Ellis’ failure to provide the services requested. Ellis’ license to practice law in Ohio was suspended on Oct. 16, 2008.
A former client of Christopher G. Gueli was reimbursed $2,500 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 Andrew R. Haney was reimbursed $2,000 as a result of Haney’s failure to provide the services requested. Haney resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Aug. 30, 2007.
A former client of SaKeya M. Stubbs was reimbursed $1,150 as a result of her failure to complete the services requested. Stubbs was suspended and placed on probation on June 21, 2006.
Hamilton County
The board determined that four former clients of suspended Hamilton County attorney Kenneth L. Lawson were eligible for reimbursement from the fund. The board reimbursed a total of $100,701 to Lawson’s former clients. Lawson’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely on July 9, 2008.
Lucas County
Three former clients of former attorney Karyn McConnell Hancock were reimbursed a total of $25,007. The board determined that McConnell Hancock converted or otherwise failed to distribute or account for funds belonging to her clients. McConnell Hancock resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on April 29, 2008.
Stark County
The Board reimbursed a total of $3,882 to former clients of three Stark County attorneys. A former client of deceased attorney Paul R. Reiners was reimbursed $2,000 as a result of Reiners’ failure to complete the services requested. Reiners died on April 17, 2008.
Two former clients of former Stark County attorney Michael S. Russell were reimbursed a total of $1,082 as a result of Russell’s failure to provide the services requested. Russell resigned from the practice of law, with discipline pending, on Oct. 3, 2008.
A former client of suspended Stark County attorney Glenn M. Schiller was reimbursed $800 as a result of Schiller’s failure to provide the services requested. Schiller was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Sept. 23.
Summit County
The board reimbursed a total of $104,725 to six former clients of former Summit County attorney Edward P. Markovich. The board found that Markovich converted or misappropriated funds belonging to his clients. Markovich resigned from the practice of law, with discipline pending, on Oct. 16, 2008.
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.