June 8, 2009
Victims of Attorney Theft Awarded More Than $150,000 by Clients' Security Fund
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients’ Security Fund of Ohio (CSF) awarded $153,676 to 30 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 via the Supreme Court of Ohio's online docket.
Cuyahoga County
The board determined that former clients of three Cuyahoga County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. Ten former clients of former attorney James L. Major Jr. were reimbursed a total of $16,850 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.
Three former clients of former attorney Cynthia D. Smith were reimbursed a total of $40,276 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.
Two former clients of suspended attorney Dennis J. Polke were reimbursed a total of $9,800 as a result of Mr. Polke’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Polke’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended on Jan. 22.
Franklin County
The Board determined that former clients of four Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. A former client of suspended attorney Reginald A. Cooke was reimbursed $1,500 as a result of Mr. Cooke’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Cooke was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Nov. 15, 2006.
Two former clients of suspended attorney Madry L. Ellis were reimbursed a total of $3,000 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 attorney Christopher G. Gueli was reimbursed $750 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.
Two former clients of suspended attorney Michael J. Hayes were reimbursed a total of $11,000 as a result of Mr. Hayes’ failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Hayes was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on May 29, 2008.
Hamilton County
The board determined that former clients of two Hamilton County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement. Commissioners reimbursed five former clients of suspended attorney Kenneth L. Lawson a total of $18,000 in 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.
A former client of suspended attorney Regina A. Collins was reimbursed $1,500 in fees paid for services that Ms. Collins failed to provide. Ms. Collins was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Feb. 2.
Mahoning County
The board determined that a former estate client of disbarred attorney Richard D. Goldberg was eligible for reimbursement of $50,000. The board’s decision was based upon a finding that Mr. Goldberg failed to distribute or otherwise account for funds belonging to the estate. Mr. Goldberg was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Feb. 27, 2002.
Summit County
Two former clients of suspended Summit County attorney Charles W. Goodlet Jr. were reimbursed a total of $1,000 as a result of Mr. Goodlet’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Goodlet was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Aug. 29, 2007.
The CSF was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court of Ohio 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.