Suspension For Neglecting Criminal Appeals

The Ohio Supreme Court indefinitely suspended an attorney who had neglected a number of criminal appeals and had failed to refund unearned fees. The lawyer had initially responded to complaints--in one instance claiming health problems and that he had lost a draft brief in an electrical storm--but had not continued to cooperate as the complaints piled up. As a result, no mitigation evidence was presented to explain the lapses. He had previously been suspended for failure to pay court-ordered child support.  (Mike Frisch)