Title: Lake Cty. Bar Assn. v. Smith

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

LAKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION v. SMITH. 
[Cite as Lake Cty. Bar Assn. v. Smith (1999), ___Ohio St.3d ___.] 
Attorneys at law — Misconduct — Public reprimand — Neglecting an entrusted 
legal matter — Failing to carry out contract of employment for professional 
services. 
(No. 98-2216 — Submitted February 9, 1999 — Decided April 28, 1999.) 
ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and 
Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 97-92. 
 
As part of a divorce decree, Kenneth Mehls and his former spouse agreed to 
equal-time custody under a shared parenting agreement and support order.  
However, from the time of divorce, Mehls kept total custody of the couple’s minor 
child and provided his entire support.  The child spent no time with his mother, and 
she provided no financial assistance to Mehls. 
 
In May 1993, respondent, Richard F. Smith, Jr. of Mentor, Ohio, Attorney 
Registration No. 0018125, filed a motion on behalf of Mehls for modification of 
the support order to obtain support contribution from Mehls’s former spouse.  The 
parties entered into mediation, which was a condition precedent to litigation under 
the shared parenting agreement.  In December 1993, the parties agreed to dismiss 
the motion because mediation was still in process. 
 
In October 1994, respondent filed a second motion to modify support.  The 
attorneys for the parties agreed to dismiss that motion in February 1995 because 
the parties had still not completed mediation.  However, respondent failed to notify 
Mehls of the dismissal of the second motion, claiming that he was attempting to 
find some way to obtain reimbursement for Mehls.  Less than four months before 
the child was to graduate from high school, when all support requirements would 
terminate, the mediator filed her report.  In late 1995, Mehls discovered that the 
 
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motion had been dismissed and notified the relator, Lake County Bar Association, 
about respondent’s failure to inform him of the dismissal. 
 
After an investigation, relator filed a complaint in October 1997, charging 
that respondent’s conduct violated several Disciplinary Rules.  Respondent failed 
to answer, and relator moved for a default judgment.  Based upon the pleadings 
and respondent’s statement before the complaint was filed, the panel concluded 
that respondent’s conduct violated DR 6-101(A)(3) (neglecting an entrusted legal 
matter) and 7-101(A)(2) (failing to carry out a contract of employment for 
professional services).  In mitigation, the panel noted that respondent had no 
previous disciplinary complaints filed against him in his thirteen years of practice.  
The panel recommended that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for 
six months, with the entire six months stayed on condition that respondent 
participate in a mentoring program to be established by the relator. 
 
The board adopted the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the 
panel. 
__________________ 
 
Stephen G. Macek, Sandra A. Dray and Michael P. Hurley, for relator. 
 
Richard F. Smith, Jr., pro se. 
__________________ 
 
Per Curiam.  We adopt the findings and conclusions of the board.  
However, in view of respondent’s unblemished record and his lack of intent to 
harm Mehls, we find that a public reprimand is appropriate.  Respondent is hereby 
publicly reprimanded.  Costs taxed to respondent. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
DOUGLAS, RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY, PFEIFER and LUNDBERG STRATTON, JJ., 
concur. 
 
MOYER, C.J., and COOK, J., dissent. 
 
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__________________ 
 
COOK, J., dissenting.  I would follow the recommendation of the panel and 
the board and suspend the respondent for six months, with the entire six months 
stayed, provided respondent successfully participates in and completes a mentoring 
program established and monitored by the Lake County Bar Association. 
 
MOYER, C.J., concurs in the foregoing dissenting opinion.