Title: Cleveland Bar Association v. Danner

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

OPINIONS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO                               
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Thomas J. Moyer.                                                                 
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Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Danner.                                                   
[Cite as Cleveland Bar Association v. Danner (1994),                             
Ohio St. 3d       .]                                                             
Attorneys at law -- Misconduct -- Indefinite suspension --                       
     Neglecting an entrusted legal matter -- Intentionally                       
     failing to carry out contract of employment -- Neglecting                   
     or refusing to assist or testify in an investigation or                     
     hearing.                                                                    
     (No. 93-2174 -- Submitted January 5, 1994 -- Decided                        
, 1994.                                                                          
     On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on                        
Grievances and Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 93-33.                       
     On June 21, 1993, relator, Cleveland Bar Association,                       
filed a two-count complaint against respondent, Herbert A.                       
Danner, last known residence in Casper, Wyoming, Attorney                        
Registration No. 0025433, with the Board of Commissioners on                     
Grievances and Discipline of the Supreme Court ("board").                        
Count I alleged that respondent had failed to file a mechanic's                  
lien for Robert Greenwald after having accepted a seventy-five                   
dollar fee to do so, that Greenwald eventually obtained a one                    
thousand dollar default judgment against respondent in the                       
Cleveland Heights Municipal Court based on the failure to file                   
the lien, that respondent did not appear at the referee's                        
hearing in the case or file timely objections to the referee's                   
report, that respondent had moved to Casper, Wyoming, and that                   
respondent's conduct violated DR 6-101(A)(3) (neglecting an                      
entrusted legal matter) and 7-101(A)(2) (intentionally failing                   
to carry out a contract of employment).  Count II alleged that                   
respondent had failed to respond to formal inquiries made by                     
relator and to the complaint, thereby violating former Gov. Bar                  
R. V 5(a) (now Section 4 [G]) (neglecting or refusing to assist                  
or testify in an investigation or hearing).                                      
     On September 27, 1993, relator moved for a default                          
judgment before a panel of the board because respondent had not                  
answered the complaint.  The panel granted the motion, found                     
that respondent had committed the violations alleged, and                        
recommended that he be indefinitely suspended from the practice                  
of law.  The board adopted the findings and recommendation of                    
the panel and further recommended that costs of the proceedings                  
be taxed to respondent.                                                          
                                                                                 
     Robert S. Belovich, Gerald M. Ozan and Paul Morrison, for                   
relator.                                                                         
                                                                                 
     Per Curiam.  We concur in the findings and recommendation                   
of the board.  Respondent, Herbert A. Danner, is hereby                          
indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio.  Costs                  
taxed to respondent.                                                             
                                    Judgment accordingly.                        
     Moyer, C.J., A.W. Sweeney, Douglas, Wright,  Resnick, F.E.                  
Sweeney and Pfeifer, JJ., concur.