Case Title: Toledo Bar Assn. v. Vild

Citation: 1998-Ohio-574

Docket Number: 19981234

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 1998-12-09T00:00:00Z

Document:
TOLEDO BAR ASSOCIATION v. VILD. 
[Cite as Toledo Bar Assn. v. Vild (1998), ___ Ohio St.3d ___.] 
Attorneys at law – Misconduct – Public reprimand – Failing to file necessary 
probate forms in adoption proceeding and to order a home study in 
preparation for the adoption. 
(No. 98-1234 — Submitted August 19, 1998 — Decided December 9, 
1998.) 
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 
Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 97-64. 
 
On June 16, 1997, relator, Toledo Bar Association, filed a complaint 
charging that respondent, Jeffrey T. Vild of Oregon, Ohio, Attorney Registration 
No. 0029535, violated DR 6-101(A)(1) (a lawyer shall not undertake a legal 
matter which he is not competent to handle, unless he associates with a lawyer 
who is competent to handle it) and 6-101(A)(3) (neglect of legal matter entrusted) 
in adoption proceedings.  Respondent filed an answer, and the matter was heard by 
a panel of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the 
Supreme Court (“board”). 
 
The panel found that in February 1994, Dennis and Joyce Duncan paid 
respondent a retainer of $500 to pursue a noncontested open adoption in the Lucas 
County Court of Common Pleas.  Both prior to and after the birth of the child, 
respondent failed to file the necessary probate forms and order a home study in 
preparation for the adoption.  Until he was discharged by the Duncans in January 
1996, respondent never instituted adoption proceedings.  Ultimately, the Duncans 
retained another lawyer to accomplish the adoption, and respondent returned the 
retainer to the Duncans. 
 
2
 
The panel found that respondent’s failure to act was a result of his complete 
inexperience and lack of knowledge regarding adoption procedures and concluded 
that he violated the Disciplinary Rules as charged.  The panel recommended that 
respondent be publicly reprimanded.  The board adopted the findings, conclusion, 
and recommendation of the panel. 
__________________ 
 
R. Jeffrey Bixler, for relator. 
 
Jeffrey T. Vild, pro se. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam.  We adopt the findings, conclusion, and recommendation of 
the board.  Respondent is hereby publicly reprimanded.  Costs are taxed to 
respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur.