Fremont, Dayton Attorneys Suspended
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In separate disciplinary actions announced today, the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended the licenses of attorneys George M. Evans of Fremont and Lee Howard of Dayton.
2009-0407. Disciplinary Counsel v. Howard, Slip Opinion No. 2009-Ohio-4173.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 08-012. Lee Howard, Attorney Registration No. 0026930, is suspended from the practice of law in Ohio for two years, with credit for time served under the interim suspension imposed on August 30, 2007.
Moyer, C.J., and Pfeifer, Lundberg Stratton, O'Donnell, Lanzinger, and Cupp, JJ., concur.
O'Connor, J., dissents and would indefinitely suspend respondent from the practice of law in Ohio.
Opinion: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2009/2009-Ohio-4173.pdf 
(Aug. 25, 2009) In a decision announced today, the Supreme Court of Ohio imposed a two-year license suspension against Dayton attorney Lee Howard based on an incident in which Howard engaged in an armed standoff with Dayton police after firing a handgun out of a window of his home to frighten away an “intruder” who turned out to be an on-duty police officer investigating a stolen car report. Howard was ultimately forced from his home by officers firing teargas. He subsequently entered guilty pleas to felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and inducing panic. Howard’s law license has been under suspension since the Court was notified of his criminal convictions in August 2007.
In today’s decision, the Court agreed with findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that Howard engaged in illegal conduct involving moral turpitude and conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice, but also noted that on the night of the incident Howard had been awakened from a deep sleep by a spotlight being shined into his darkened home, and that the uniformed officer who entered his yard was obscured by the glare of his spotlight and did not identify himself as the police
In light of aggravating and mitigating factors in the case, including Howard’s admission of guilt and nearly 30 years of law practice without prior disciplinary infractions, the Court adopted the board’s recommendations that Howard receive a two-year suspension with credit for time already served since his interim suspension on Aug. 30, 2007, and that he successfully complete a mental health evaluation prior to reinstatement of his license.
Contacts
Jonathan E. Coughlan, 614.461.0256, for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
Lee Howard, pro se, no current phone contact information available.
2009-0730. Erie-Huron Counties Bar Assn. v. Evans, Slip Opinion No. 2009-Ohio-4146.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 08-034. George M. Evans, Attorney Registration No. 0063793, is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio, with no credit for time served under the interim suspension imposed on April 24, 2009.
Moyer, C.J., and Pfeifer, Lundberg Stratton, O'Connor, O'Donnell, Lanzinger, and Cupp, JJ., concur.
Opinion: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2009/2009-Ohio-4146.pdf
(Aug. 25, 2009) The Supreme Court of Ohio today imposed an indefinite suspension against the law license of Fremont Attorney George Evans for multiple acts of professional misconduct including neglecting legal matters entrusted to him by several different clients, failing to maintain professional liability insurance or to obtain signed waivers of such coverage by his clients, and engaging in illegal conduct that resulted in his conviction on a felony count of bank fraud. Evans’ license has been under an interim suspension since the Court was advised of his felony conviction in October 2008.
The Court adopted findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that in four separate cases Evans accepted fee advances from clients and agreed to pursue or defend legal matters on their behalf, but subsequently abandoned the cases without notice either to the court or the client. The Court also adopted the board’s findings that Evans’ 2008 conviction for bank fraud, based on his attempt to negotiate a $9,000 money order written on a closed account, violated the state disciplinary rules that prohibit an attorney from conduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty or misrepresentation, and from committing an illegal act that reflects adversely on the attorney’s honesty or trustworthiness.
In imposing an indefinite license suspension, the Court specified that Evans will not receive credit for the time he has served under interim suspension, and specified that he may seek reinstatement of his license after Aug. 25, 2011, only if he agrees to make restitution to the clients whose cases he abandoned, agrees to accept monitored probation for a period of two years after reinstatement, and agrees to enter into a contract with the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Committee for whatever assistance he may need in dealing with substance abuse issues.
Contacts
Richard B. Hauser, 419.935.1681, for the Erie-Huron County Bar Association.
George M. Evans, pro se, 419.870.1834.