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Cincinnati, Akron Attorneys Suspended

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In separate disciplinary actions announced today, the Supreme Court of Ohio indefinitely suspended the licenses of attorneys Donald C. Mitchell II of Cincinnati and George L. Hoff of Akron.

2009-1502.  Disciplinary Counsel v. Mitchell, Slip Opinion No. 2010-Ohio-135.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 09-014.  Donald Cameron Mitchell II, Attorney Registration No. 0040985, is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio.
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/0/2010/2010-Ohio-135.pdf Adobe PDF Link opens new window.

(Jan. 26, 2010) The Supreme Court of Ohio has indefinitely suspended attorney Donald C. Mitchell II of Cincinnati for intentionally misleading a juvenile court magistrate regarding his identity and the status of his license to practice before that court.

In a 7-0 per curiam opinion, the Court agreed with findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that, despite having failed to comply with the Court’s biennial registration requirements since 1995 and having his license suspended for that rule violation, Mitchell attempted to represent a client in a 2008 case before the Greene County Juvenile Court and made repeated false statements to the magistrate in the case in an effort to disguise the fact that he was practicing while under suspension.

Contacts
Jonathan E. Coughlan, 614.461.0256, for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

Donald C. Mitchell II, pro se, no current contact information available.

2009-1510.  Disciplinary Counsel v. Hoff, Slip Opinion No. 2010-Ohio-136.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 09-030.  George Latham Hoff, Attorney Registration No. 0030352, is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio.
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/0/2010/2010-Ohio-136.pdf Adobe PDF Link opens new window.

(Jan. 26, 2010) The law license of Akron attorney George L. Hoff  has been indefinitely suspended by the Supreme Court of Ohio.

The Court unanimously adopted findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that Hoff accepted a $5,000 fee advance to help a client resolve a dispute with federal tax authorities, but did nothing for the client and failed to return the unearned fee.  Hoff subsequently moved out of his former business address and failed to inform either his client or the Supreme Court with an updated address or other contact information.

The Court found that Hoff’s acts and omissions violated, among others, the state attorney discipline rules that prohibit neglect of an entrusted legal matter; failure to carry out a contract of professional employment; conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and conduct that adversely reflects on an attorney’s fitness to practice law. The Court also found that Hoff violated the state bar governance rule that requires an attorney to cooperate in the investigation of a disciplinary complaint.

Contacts
Jonathan Coughlan, 614.461.02567, for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

George L. Hoff, pro se, no current contact information available.