Case Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Richardson

Citation: 2002-Ohio-2484

Docket Number: 20012220

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2002-06-12T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Richardson, 95 Ohio St.3d 499, 2002-Ohio-2484.] 
 
OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. RICHARDSON. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Richardson, 95 Ohio St.3d 499, 2002-Ohio 
2484.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Indefinite suspension —Engaging in conduct 
involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation — Engaging in 
conduct adversely reflecting on fitness to practice law — Withdrawing 
from representation without promptly refunding unearned advance fee — 
Neglect of an entrusted legal matter — Failing to carry out contract for 
professional employment —Failing to promptly deliver to client funds or 
property to which client is entitled — Neglecting or refusing to assist or 
testify in a disciplinary investigation — Failing to register with Supreme 
Court — Failing to meet continuing legal education requirements. 
(No. 2001-2220 — Submitted February 27, 2002 — Decided June 12, 2002.) 
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 
Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 01-31. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam. 
{¶1} 
In April 2001, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed a complaint 
charging that respondent, Eric N. Richardson of Cleveland, Ohio, Attorney 
Registration No. 0060060, while representing Theresa Brown and her estranged 
husband, Michael Brown, in 1998, violated several provisions of the Code of 
Professional Responsibility.  Respondent answered, and the matter was referred to 
a panel of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the 
Supreme Court (“board”). 
{¶2} 
The parties waived a hearing, and the panel found based upon joint 
stipulations that in early 1998, respondent agreed to represent Theresa Brown 
with respect to a claim arising out of an automobile accident.  Respondent and 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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Theresa Brown agreed on a contingent fee, but respondent did not put the 
agreement in writing nor confirm his representation of her in writing.  In May 
1998, respondent conveyed a settlement offer of $8,000 to Theresa Brown and 
said that he would receive his fees and pay her medical bills from the settlement.  
Respondent gave Theresa Brown the balance of the settlement due to her but did 
not pay the medical bills.  After the unpaid medical providers contacted Theresa 
Brown in 2000, she was unable to contact respondent.  She complained to relator, 
whose attempts to reach respondent were also unsuccessful.  Respondent did not 
honor a subpoena duces tecum, which relator caused to be served upon him. 
{¶3} 
The panel also found that in April 1996, respondent agreed to 
represent Michael Brown with respect to injuries arising out of the automobile 
accident.  Again, respondent entered into a contingent fee agreement that he did 
not memorialize in writing.  In May 1998, respondent told Michael Brown of a 
settlement and said that he would pay Michael Brown’s medical bills from the 
proceeds.  Respondent failed to pay the medical bills, and after respondent 
assured Michael Brown that the bills would be paid, Michael Brown could not 
contact respondent.  Michael Brown complained to relator, who also could not 
contact respondent. 
{¶4} 
The panel also found that respondent failed to register with the 
Supreme Court of Ohio in September 1999, as required by court rule.  In April 
2000, we suspended respondent from the practice of law for failing to meet his 
continuing legal education requirements.  In re Report of Comm.  on Continuing 
Legal Edn. (2000), 88 Ohio St.3d 1468, 726 N.E.2d 1006.  The panel also found 
that respondent failed to pay the required attorney registration fee to the Clerk of 
the Supreme Court in September 1999 and has not paid any registration fee since 
then. 
{¶5} 
Respondent stipulated and the panel concluded that in his 
representation of Theresa Brown and in his representation of Michael Brown, 
January Term, 2002 
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respondent violated DR 1-102(A)(4) (a lawyer shall not engage in conduct 
involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation), 1-102(A)(6) (a lawyer 
shall not engage in conduct adversely reflecting on the lawyer’s fitness to practice 
law), 2-110(A)(3) (a lawyer who withdraws from representation shall promptly 
refund any unearned advance fee), 6-101(A)(3) (a lawyer shall not neglect an 
entrusted legal matter), 7-101(A)(2) (a lawyer shall not fail to carry out a contract 
for professional employment), and  9-102(B)(4) (a lawyer shall promptly deliver 
to the client funds or property to which the client is entitled).  With respect to 
respondent’s failure to reply to relator’s inquiries, the panel found that respondent 
violated Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G) (no attorney shall neglect or refuse to assist or 
testify in a disciplinary investigation or hearing) in the Theresa Brown matter and 
in the Michael Brown matter.  The panel further found that respondent’s failure to 
register with the Supreme Court violated Gov.Bar R. VI, and his failure to meet 
his continuing legal education requirements violated Gov.Bar R. X. 
{¶6} 
The panel recommended that respondent be suspended from the 
practice of law for one year with six months of the suspension stayed provided 
that respondent make full restitution for the unpaid medical bills and that during 
the year of suspension he participate in a mentoring program.  The board adopted 
the findings and conclusions of the panel but recommended that respondent be 
indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio. 
{¶7} 
On review of the record, and in view of respondent’s complete 
failure to comply with our rules regarding cooperation in disciplinary 
investigations, we adopt the recommendation of the board.  Respondent is hereby 
indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio.  Costs are taxed to 
respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, C.J., DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER, COOK and 
LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., concur. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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__________________ 
 
Jonathan E. Coughlan, Disciplinary Counsel, and Kevin L. Williams, 
Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, for relator. 
 
Eric N. Richardson, pro se. 
__________________