Case Name: Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Boulger
Court: Supreme Court of Ohio
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 2000-03-29
Citations: 88 Ohio St. 3d 325
Docket Number: No. 99-2241
Parties: Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Boulger.
Judges: Douglas, Resnick, F.E. Sweeney, Pfeifer, Cook and Lundberg Stratton, JJ., concur.
Reporter: Ohio State Reports, Third Service
Volume: 88
Pages: 325–328

Head Matter:
Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Boulger.
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Boulger (2000), 88 Ohio St.3d 325.]
(No. 99-2241
Submitted February 9, 2000
Decided March 29, 2000.)
Jonathan E. Coughlan, Disciplinary Counsel, and Kevin L. Williams, Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, for relator.
James T. Boulger, pro se.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
We adopt the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the board. "Although an indefinite suspension is [normally] warranted when a pattern of neglecting legal matters is coupled with a failure to cooperate in the ensuing disciplinary investigation, there is no pattern of neglect related to multiple clients here." Cleveland Bar Assn. v. Cicirella (1999), 86 Ohio St.3d 544, 545, 715 N.E.2d 1131, 1132. Given respondent's lack of a prior disciplinary record, absence of a dishonest or selfish motive related to his neglect, relatively isolated nature of his neglect, eventual cooperation in the disciplinary proceedings, and remorse, a less severe sanction is appropriate. See, e.g., Disciplinary Counsel v. Brown (1999), 87 Ohio St.3d 316, 321-322, 720 N.E.2d 525, 529-530, fn. 1 and 2, and Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, Proposed Rules and Regulations Governing Procedure on Complaints and Hearings, Section 10, Guidelines for Imposing Lawyer Sanctions, Ohio Official Reports, Nov. 22, 1999 Advance Sheets xli, xliv-xlv, setting forth appropriate mitigating factors to consider in imposing sanctions. Respondent is hereby suspended from the practice of law in Ohio for six months with the entire suspension stayed. Costs taxed to respondent.
Judgment accordingly.
Douglas, Resnick, F.E. Sweeney, Pfeifer, Cook and Lundberg Stratton, JJ., concur.
Moyer, C.J., concurs in part antj dissents in part.