Case Title: Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Judge

Citation: 2002-Ohio-886

Docket Number: 20011856

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2002-03-06T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Judge, 94 Ohio St.3d 331, 2002-Ohio-886.] 
 
 
CLEVELAND BAR ASSOCIATION v. JUDGE. 
[Cite as Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Judge (2002), 94 Ohio St.3d 331.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Indefinite suspension — Exhibiting a cavalier 
attitude towards the representation of clients and the ensuing 
disciplinary investigation. 
(No. 01-1856 — Submitted November 28, 2001 — Decided February 20, 2002.) 
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 
Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 00-69. 
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Per Curiam.  In August 1996, Brian Costa retained respondent, Thomas J. 
Judge1 of Cleveland, Ohio, Attorney Registration No. 0024839, to represent him 
on a claim for Social Security disability benefits.  Thereafter, despite repeated 
attempts by Costa to contact respondent concerning his claim, and after 
respondent’s office claimed that Costa’s file had been lost, respondent failed to 
respond.  In addition, other than filing a request for reconsideration, which was 
denied, respondent did not do any work on the claim.  He also failed to file an 
appeal of the denial of the request for reconsideration, and Costa retained another 
attorney, who established good cause for a hearing on Costa’s claim based on 
respondent’s inaction. 
 
In April 1998, Janice Hunter retained respondent to represent her on a 
claim for benefits under her employer’s long-term disability insurance.  Despite 
numerous telephone calls and letters from Hunter and her physicians, respondent 
did not take any action on behalf of Hunter and did not return her calls.  Because 
                                                          
 
1. 
We previously imposed a sanciton on respondent for failure to comply with the 
continuing legal education requirements of Gov.Bar R. X for the 1992-1993 reporting period.  In 
re Comm. on Continuing Legal Edn. (1995), 73 Ohio St.3d 1401, 651 N.E.2d 1300. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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of respondent’s failure to timely pursue her claim, Hunter’s attempt to file the 
claim with another attorney was denied as untimely, and her monthly disability 
benefits were discontinued. 
 
Costa and Hunter filed grievances against respondent with relator, 
Cleveland Bar Association.  Respondent failed to respond to relator’s inquiries 
about the grievances or otherwise cooperate with relator’s investigation of the 
grievances. 
 
On August 14, 2000, relator filed a complaint charging respondent with 
multiple violations of the Code of Professional Responsibility and the Supreme 
Court Rules for the Government of the Bar.  After respondent failed to answer, 
the matter was referred to a master commissioner under Gov.Bar R. V(6)(F)(2) on 
relator’s motion for default judgment. 
 
The master commissioner found the facts as previously set forth and 
concluded that respondent’s conduct as to each of his clients violated DR 1-
102(A)(6) (engaging in conduct that adversely reflects on lawyer’s fitness to 
practice law), 6-101(A)(2) (handling a legal matter without adequate preparation), 
6-101(A)(3) (neglecting an entrusted legal matter), 7-101(A)(1) (failing to seek 
lawful objectives of his client through reasonably available means), 7-101(A)(2) 
(failing to carry out contract of employment entered into with client for 
professional services), and 7-101(A)(3) (intentionally prejudicing or damaging 
client during course of professional relationship).  The master commissioner 
further concluded that respondent violated Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G) (duty to cooperate 
in disciplinary investigation) and V(6)(A)(1) (defining misconduct to include 
violation of oath of office taken upon admission to the practice of law in this state 
or any disobedience of the Code of Professional Responsibility or Rules for the 
Government of the Bar).  The master commissioner recommended that respondent 
be indefinitely suspended from the practice of law. 
January Term, 2002 
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The Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the 
Supreme Court (“board”) adopted the findings, conclusions, and recommendation 
of the master commissioner and further recommended that costs be taxed to 
respondent. 
 
We adopt the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the board.  In 
determining the appropriate sanction, Section 10(B) of the Rules and Regulations 
Governing Procedure on Complaints and Hearings Before the Board of 
Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline authorizes the board to consider 
precedent established by this court.  BCGD Reg. 10(B).  We have consistently 
recognized that “[n]eglect of legal matters and a failure to cooperate in the 
ensuing disciplinary investigation generally warrant an indefinite suspension from 
the practice of law in Ohio.”  Akron Bar Assn. v. Snyder (1999), 87 Ohio St.3d 
211, 212, 718 N.E.2d 1271, 1272.  In other words, “[t]he sanction of an indefinite 
suspension from the practice of law ‘is especially fitting * * * where neglect of a 
legal matter is coupled with a failure to cooperate in the ensuing disciplinary 
investigation.’ ”  Disciplinary Counsel v. Henderson (1999), 87 Ohio St.3d 219, 
221, 718 N.E.2d 1277, 1279, quoting Warren Cty. Bar Assn. v. Lieser (1997), 79 
Ohio St.3d 488, 490, 683 N.E.2d 1148, 1149. 
 
Here, like the attorneys in Henderson and Disciplinary Counsel v. Boylan 
(1999), 85 Ohio St.3d 115, 707 N.E.2d 465, respondent exhibited a cavalier 
attitude towards the representation of his clients as well as the ensuing 
disciplinary investigation.  Moreover, respondent’s neglect prejudiced his clients’ 
interests.  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. 
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SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
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Weston, Hurd, Fallon, Paisley & Howley and Gary W. Johnson; Ulmer & 
Berne, LLP, and Joseph S. Simms, for relator. 
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