Title: Disciplinary Counsel v. Redfield

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Redfield, 116 Ohio St.3d 262, 2007-Ohio-6039.] 
 
 
 
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL ET AL. v. REDFIELD. 
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Redfield,  
116 Ohio St.3d 262, 2007-Ohio-6039.] 
Attorney misconduct — Neglect of entrusted legal matter — Failure to pay child 
support — Failure to cooperate in investigation of misconduct — Two-
year suspension with credit for interim suspension. 
(No. 2007-1117 — Submitted August 14, 2007 — Decided November 15, 2007.) 
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 
Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 06-020. 
__________________ 
Per Curiam. 
{¶ 1} Respondent, Bernard Redfield, Attorney Registration No. 
0024600, whose last attorney registration reported a Cleveland, Ohio, address, 
was admitted to the practice of law in Ohio in 1984.  On February 14, 2005, we 
suspended respondent’s license to practice on an interim basis, pursuant to 
Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A)(4), upon receiving notice that he was in default on a child-
support order.  See In re Redfield, 105 Ohio St.3d 1433, 2005-Ohio-540, 822 
N.E.2d 806.  Since December 2, 2005, respondent’s license has also been 
suspended for his failure to register as an attorney for the 2005-2007 biennium.  
See In re Attorney Registration Suspension, 107 Ohio St.3d 1431, 2005-Ohio-
6408, 838 N.E.2d 671. 
{¶ 2} The Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline 
recommends that we now impose another suspension – a two-year suspension, 
with credit for the suspension ordered on February 14, 2005 – based on findings 
that respondent (1) neglected a client’s case, (2) defaulted on support orders for 
two of his children, (3) failed to cooperate in disciplinary investigations, and (4) 
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still has not perfected his attorney-registration record.  On review, we agree that 
respondent committed professional misconduct and that a two-year suspension, 
with credit for time served, is appropriate. 
{¶ 3} Relators, Disciplinary Counsel and the Cleveland Bar Association, 
filed separate complaints, alleging a total of six counts of professional 
misconduct, including charges following up on our interim suspension order.  
Respondent answered the complaints, admitting some factual allegations but 
denying the charges of misconduct.  A panel of the board heard the cases together, 
and at that time, the Cleveland Bar Association withdrew one count of 
misconduct.  The panel made findings of fact and conclusions of law and 
recommended a two-year suspension with credit for the time respondent has been 
suspended since the February 2005 suspension.  The board adopted the panel’s 
findings and recommendation. 
{¶ 4} Neither party has objected to the board’s report. 
Misconduct 
The Stevens Case 
{¶ 5} Daviejean Stevens hired respondent in 2002 to file a claim against 
her former employer.  Respondent filed suit on Stevens’s behalf in the Cuyahoga 
County Court of Common Pleas but did little else in the case.  When respondent 
did not respond to the defendant’s motion for summary judgment, the court 
granted the motion, disposing of Stevens’s claim. 
{¶ 6} Respondent explained that he had not opposed the motion for 
summary judgment, because Stevens had not given him the names of any 
witnesses or documentation to substantiate her claim.  Respondent also indicated, 
however, that he had ceased to believe in Stevens’s case after hearing her 
deposition testimony.  In fact, he had fully expected the court to grant summary 
judgment against his client. 
January Term, 2007 
3 
{¶ 7} We agree with the panel and board that respondent abandoned his 
client’s case and thereby violated DR 6-101(A)(3) (prohibiting neglect of an 
entrusted legal matter), 7-101(A)(1) (prohibiting a lawyer from intentionally 
failing to seek the lawful objectives of a client through reasonably available legal 
means), and 7-101(A)(2) (prohibiting a lawyer from intentionally failing to carry 
out a contract for professional employment). 
Failure to Cooperate in the Bar Association’s Investigations 
{¶ 8} Stevens lodged a grievance against respondent.  In March 2005, 
respondent replied to a letter inquiring about the grievance and met in August 
2005 with the bar association’s investigator.  After that meeting, however, the 
investigator could not find respondent at any of the telephone numbers or 
addresses he had given or that the investigator could find for him. 
{¶ 9} Upon receiving a second grievance about respondent, the bar 
association sent him another certified letter of inquiry, in July 2005.  The certified 
letter came back unclaimed.  In August 2005, the bar association sent respondent, 
by regular mail, another letter of inquiry, which was apparently delivered.  
Respondent did not reply. 
{¶ 10} We agree with the panel and board that respondent’s failure to 
respond during the bar association’s investigations violated Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G) 
(requiring a lawyer to assist in a disciplinary investigation). 
Default on Child-Support Orders 
{¶ 11} As of February 28, 2007, respondent owed $18,415.12 in child-
support arrearages for one of his children, having made his last payment in that 
case in July 2005.  Also as of that date, respondent owed $12,119.38 in child-
support arrearages for another of his children, having made the last payment in 
that case in May 2005.  The Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement 
Agency moved to execute in these cases, and in January 2006, after respondent 
failed to appear at a hearing, the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court issued warrants 
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for respondent’s arrest.  In early March 2007, respondent borrowed $2,500 from a 
friend to post bond. 
{¶ 12} As of the March 23, 2007 panel hearing in this case, respondent 
remained in default on his child-support obligations for these two children.  He 
has thus not complied with Gov.Bar R. V(5)(D)(1)(b) or (c) by filing with the 
board any of the following: a certified copy of a judgment entry reversing the 
determination of default as to his child-support obligations, a notice from a court 
or child-support-enforcement agency that he is no longer in default on the child-
support orders, or a notice from a court or child-support-enforcement agency that 
he is subject to and complying with a withholding or deduction notice to collect 
current support and any arrearage due under the child-support orders. 
{¶ 13} We agree with the panel and board that by failing to pay child 
support, respondent violated DR 1-102(A)(5) (prohibiting conduct that is 
prejudicial to the administration of justice) and 1-102(A)(6) (prohibiting conduct 
that adversely reflects on a lawyer’s fitness to practice law). 
Failure to Cooperate in Disciplinary Counsel’s Investigation 
{¶ 14} In February 2005, Disciplinary Counsel sent a letter of inquiry to 
respondent by certified mail, requesting an explanation as to the child-support 
defaults.  Although sent to respondent’s business address as listed in attorney-
registration records, the letter came back unclaimed.  In March 2005, Disciplinary 
Counsel sent another certified letter of inquiry, this time to respondent’s home 
address as listed in attorney-registration records, asking about the defaults.  The 
second letter also came back unclaimed. 
{¶ 15} In February 2006, Disciplinary Counsel sent a letter to respondent 
by certified mail notifying him of Disciplinary Counsel’s intent to file a formal 
complaint with the board.  That letter came back unclaimed. 
{¶ 16} At the panel hearing, respondent explained that since December 
2005, he had not been living at the address that he had listed with attorney 
January Term, 2007 
5 
registration as his home address, which was for an apartment above a child-care 
office.  When respondent moved in December 2005, he had no other permanent 
address, so he received permission to continue to receive mail at that apartment.  
Respondent also did not regularly pick up his mail from the location, and he 
testified that he believed that much of his mail had been discarded. 
{¶ 17} Respondent ignored or evaded the disciplinary process until 
Disciplinary Counsel moved for default.  Respondent then participated in a 
prehearing conference, evidently having to borrow a cell phone to do so, and filed 
both a memorandum opposing the motion and an answer to the complaint. 
{¶ 18} We agree with the panel and board that respondent’s failure to 
respond to the Disciplinary Counsel’s investigation violated Gov.Bar R. V(4)(G). 
Failure to Register 
{¶ 19} Respondent has continued to ignore his obligation to register as an 
attorney.  He thereby remains in violation of Gov.Bar R. VI(1)(A). 
Sanction 
{¶ 20} In determining the appropriate sanction to impose for attorney 
misconduct, “we consider the duties violated, the actual or potential injury caused, 
the attorney’s mental state, the existence of aggravating or mitigating 
circumstances, and sanctions imposed in similar cases.”  Stark Cty. Bar Assn. v. 
Ake, 111 Ohio St.3d 266, 2006-Ohio-5704, 855 N.E.2d 1206, ¶ 44.  We weigh the 
aggravating and mitigating factors to decide whether to be lenient or stringent in 
our disposition.  See Section 10(B) of the Rules and Regulations Governing 
Procedure on Complaints and Hearings Before the Board of Commissioners on 
Grievances and Discipline (“BCGD Proc.Reg.”).  Moreover, we are not limited to 
the factors specified in the rule and may take into account “all relevant factors” in 
determining the sanction to impose.  BCGD Proc.Reg. 10(B). 
{¶ 21} Respondent knowingly violated his duty to conscientiously protect 
his client’s interest during representation.  He knowingly violated his duties to the 
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legal profession and public by failing to cooperate in the disciplinary process that 
enforces standards of conduct.  Respondent knowingly violated his duty to this 
court and the public by failing to update the attorney-registration records.  Last, 
respondent knowingly violated his duty to comply with court orders, putting at 
risk the welfare of his children. 
{¶ 22} The relevant aggravating factors are that respondent committed 
multiple ethical infractions, BCGD Proc.Reg. 10(B)(1)(d), and he already has a 
disciplinary record, BCGD Proc.Reg. 10(B)(1)(a). 
{¶ 23} Two of our previous decisions are instructive.  In Disciplinary 
Counsel v. Curry, 112 Ohio St.3d 130, 2006-Ohio-6517 858 N.E.2d 392, and 
Disciplinary Counsel v. Geer, 112 Ohio St.3d 124, 2006-Ohio-6516, 858 N.E.2d 
388, we issued one-year suspensions without credit for the interim licensure 
suspensions to lawyers who had failed for years to comply with child-support 
orders and also completely ignored the disciplinary proceedings.  Consistent with 
the panel and board reports, however, we see no value in adding yet another year 
of suspension.  As the panel and board observed: 
{¶ 24} “Respondent has no permanent home and testified that his 
existence is at bare subsistence level.  He testified that he is unable to do legal 
work or related work because his law license and his driver’s license have been 
suspended in consequence of his inability to pay his child support arrearage.  He 
testified that he has repeatedly been told by prospective employers that he is 
overqualified for the work he is allowed to do and that he has not been hired 
because employers fear his sudden departure when his law license is regained. His 
geographical area for employment is circumscribed because he has no automobile 
and cannot drive. He describes himself as barely existing * * * . 
{¶ 25} “It is noteworthy that, in spite of his ignoring the ongoing 
disciplinary investigations and institution of disciplinary proceedings against him, 
Respondent resisted judgment by default and defended the action. * * * 
January Term, 2007 
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{¶ 26} “* * *  
{¶ 27} “In 1984, Respondent passed the Ohio Bar Examination after five 
attempts.  His private law practice never produced a large income.  * * *  The 
income from his law practice was marginal and he fell in arrears of court ordered 
child support.  When eventually his law license was suspended for the interim, his 
income ceased and his circumstances have spiraled down from that time.  
Respondent’s law license has now been suspended for more than two years.  He 
has no assets with which to satisfy the accrued support arrearage and his current 
income is below poverty level. His prospect for improved financial circumstance 
seems bleak. 
{¶ 28} “Unlike [respondents in] Curry and Geer, although he failed to 
cooperate in the investigation * * *, eventually Respondent presented his limited 
defense to a hearing panel.  The support amounts here are much smaller than [in] 
Geer.  Unlike Curry who could earn more money from his non-law employment 
than from his law practice, Respondent here has no other marketable skills. 
{¶ 29} “Respondent also has neglected a legal matter undertaken for a 
client to the client’s prejudice. 
{¶ 30} “The differences in Respondent’s circumstances from those of [the 
respondents in] Curry and Geer are sufficient, however, to suggest that should 
Respondent ever pay his full arrearage, or reach a workable compromise to afford 
relief from the interim suspension, one or two additional years of suspension 
thereafter [would] defeat the coercive purpose for which the interim suspension 
was imposed initially.” 
{¶ 31} Justice Lundberg Stratton expressed similar concerns in her 
dissenting opinion in Geer, 112 Ohio St.3d 124, 2006-Ohio-6516, 858 N.E.2d 388 
¶ 24, and Curry, 112 Ohio St.3d 130, 2006-Ohio-6517 858 N.E.2d 392, ¶ 24  (“I 
am concerned that a finite term of suspension on top of his interim suspension 
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reduces respondent's ability to earn a living, thereby diminishing his ability to 
support his children in the long run”). 
{¶ 32} We therefore suspend respondent’s license to practice law in Ohio 
for a period of two years, but give credit for the time he has been suspended since 
February 14, 2005.  Respondent’s reinstatement shall be conditioned upon, in 
addition to all the requirements under Gov.Bar R. V(10)(A), his proof of 
compliance with all the conditions imposed in the interim suspension order of 
February 14, 2005.  Costs are taxed to respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
PFEIFER, LUNDBERG STRATTON, LANZINGER, and CUPP, JJ., concur. 
 
MOYER, C.J., and O’CONNOR and O’DONNELL, JJ., dissent. 
__________________ 
 
MOYER, C.J., dissenting. 
{¶ 33} I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion with respect to the 
sanction imposed on respondent.  The board recommended that respondent be 
suspended for two years, with credit given for the time respondent has been 
suspended since the February 2005 suspension.  While the majority concluded 
that the board’s recommendation was appropriate, I disagree and would impose a 
stricter sanction on respondent. 
{¶ 34} The board found that respondent committed multiple ethical 
infractions.  Respondent (1) neglected a client’s case, (2) defaulted on support 
orders for two of his children, (3) failed to cooperate in disciplinary 
investigations, and (4) failed to perfect his attorney-registration record.  Further, 
his misconduct persisted over the course of several years:  in 2002, respondent 
abandoned his client’s case; in 2005, respondent failed to respond during the bar 
association’s and Disciplinary Counsel’s investigations into his misconduct; and, 
as of February 2007, respondent owed more than $30,000 in child-support 
January Term, 2007 
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arrearages for two of his children.  In addition, respondent has a prior disciplinary 
record.  
{¶ 35} Respondent has repeatedly violated his duties to the legal 
profession, the public, and the courts.  As a result, I would suspend respondent 
from the practice of law for two years, with no credit given for the time 
respondent has been suspended.  Instead, I would impose a two-year suspension 
to run from the date this opinion is released. 
 
O’CONNOR and O’DONNELL, JJ., concur in the foregoing opinion. 
______________________ 
Jonathan E. Coughlan, Disciplinary Counsel, and Carol A. Costa, 
Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, for relator Disciplinary Counsel. 
M. Terence Cawley; and Lustig, Evans & Lucas Co., L.P.A., and Robert 
Lustig, for relator Cleveland Bar Association. 
Bernard Redfield, pro se. 
______________________