Conduct Board files attorney discipline recommendations
The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct has filed 10 reports with the Supreme Court of Ohio, nine recommending discipline for Ohio attorneys and one recommending discipline for a sitting judge.
The Board dismissed one case after finding the relator failed to prove alleged ethical violations on the part of two attorneys.
Parties will have an opportunity to file objections to the Board’s reports and recommendations with the Supreme Court. If a party files objections, the Supreme Court will schedule the case for oral argument. Objections are not permitted in consent-to-discipline matters.
Additional information about each case, including the report and recommendation, may be obtained by searching for the corresponding case number.
Cuyahoga County
Disciplinary Counsel v. Carolyn Kaye Ranke
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0491
Recommended sanction: Disbarment.
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association v. Robert Smith III
Supreme Court Case No. 2023-0708
Recommended sanction: Two-year suspension.
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association v. Joanne Brown
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0487
Recommended sanction: Six-month suspension, stayed.
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association v. Brian Matthew Taubman
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0483
Recommended sanction: Public reprimand.
Franklin County
Columbus Bar Association v. Amanda Marie Burgess & Michael Dean Christensen
Board Case No. 2023-008
Board resolution: Case dismissed and costs assessed to the relator.
Columbus Bar Association v. Teresa Ann Villarreal
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0492
Recommended sanction: One-year suspension, six months stayed.
Hamilton County
Disciplinary Counsel v. Calvin Sylvester Tregre Jr.
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0493
Recommended sanction: Two-year suspension.
Disciplinary Counsel v. Hon. Ralph Edward Winkler
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0488
Recommended sanction: Public reprimand.
Lucas County
Toledo Bar Association v. Joseph William Westmeyer III
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0489
Recommended sanction: Six-month suspension, stayed.
Montgomery County
Disciplinary Counsel v. Frank Michael Payson
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0481
Recommendation: Impairment suspension.
Disciplinary Counsel v. Scott David Bissell
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0482
Recommended sanction: Two-year suspension, stayed.
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