Court Opinion

ID: 2691049
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-01 20:57:50.637482+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:54:26.655385
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Cantrell, 130 Ohio St.3d 46, 2011-Ohio-4554.]

                       DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL v. CANTRELL.
[Cite as Disciplinary Counsel v. Cantrell, 130 Ohio St.3d 46, 2011-Ohio-4554.]
Attorneys—Misconduct—Felony grand theft—Possession of cocaine—Indefinite
    suspension, to be served consecutively to indefinite suspension previously
    imposed.
   (No. 2011-0281—Submitted May 24, 2011—Decided September 14, 2011.)
    ON CERTIFIED REPORT by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and
                     Discipline of the Supreme Court, No. 09-093.
                                  __________________
        Per Curiam.
        {¶ 1} This court admitted respondent, Doreen M. Cantrell of Willoughby,
Ohio, Attorney Registration No. 0040032, to the practice of law in Ohio in 1988.
The Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline concluded that
respondent engaged in professional misconduct and recommends that she be
permanently disbarred from the practice of law, with costs of these proceedings
taxed to her.
        {¶ 2} We agree that respondent committed professional misconduct as
found by the board; however, we reject the board’s recommended sanction and
conclude that an indefinite suspension is the appropriate sanction in this case.
Accordingly, we indefinitely suspend respondent from the practice of law, a
sanction which is to be served consecutively to the indefinite suspension we
imposed on respondent on May 20, 2010.
                                   Procedural History
        {¶ 3} On September 23, 2009, respondent pleaded guilty to two counts of
felony grand theft and one count of possession of cocaine. On December 14,
2009, we imposed an interim felony suspension of respondent’s license pursuant
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to Gov.Bar R. V(5)(A)(4), pending further disciplinary proceedings.               In re
Cantrell, 123 Ohio St.3d 1517, 2009-Ohio-6503, 918 N.E.2d 162.
       {¶ 4} On December 7, 2009, relator, Disciplinary Counsel, filed a two-
count complaint against respondent arising from the 2009 convictions, count one
relating to grand theft, and count two relating to possession of cocaine.
Disciplinary Counsel alleged that respondent’s actions violated Prof.Cond.R.
8.4(b) (a lawyer shall not commit an illegal act that reflects adversely on the
lawyer’s honesty or trustworthiness) and (h) (a lawyer shall not engage in any
other conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer’s fitness to practice law).
       {¶ 5} The parties thereafter stipulated that respondent’s actions violated
Prof.Cond.R. 8.4(b) and (h). They further stipulated to the following mitigating
factors: (1) that respondent provided full and free disclosure during the
investigation, (2) that she displayed a cooperative attitude, and (3) that other
penalties or sanctions had been imposed.          They also stipulated to certain
aggravating factors, agreeing that respondent (1) exhibited a dishonest and selfish
motive, (2) engaged in multiple criminal offenses, and (3) had a prior disciplinary
record, including the interim felony suspension imposed in this case and an
indefinite suspension imposed by this court on May 20, 2010, in a separate case,
Disciplinary Counsel v. Cantrell, 125 Ohio St.3d 458, 2010-Ohio-2114, 928
N.E.2d 1100.
       {¶ 6} The panel then conducted a hearing, but respondent neither appeared
nor submitted additional mitigating evidence. The panel therefore accepted the
parties’ stipulations regarding the findings of fact and conclusions of law and
recommended permanent disbarment. The board adopted the panel’s findings,
conclusions, and recommended sanction and further recommends that the cost of
the proceedings be taxed to respondent.
       {¶ 7} Respondent objects to the board’s recommendation, arguing that her
conduct warrants an indefinite suspension rather than permanent disbarment. In

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support of the lesser sanction, respondent argues that she had made a timely and
good-faith effort to make restitution, that her dual diagnosis of chemical
dependency and mental illness contributed to the cause of her misconduct, and
that she is being successfully treated so as to enable her to return to competent,
ethical professional practice under specified conditions. Respondent has also
attached additional mitigating evidence to her objections, including medical,
psychological, and testimonial reports and letters.
       {¶ 8} Relator filed an answer to the objections, arguing that respondent
should not be permitted to supplement the record absent exceptional
circumstances and urging that the documents do not meet the requirements for
mitigation evidence.    Relator further maintains that based on the evidence
properly before the court, permanent disbarment is the appropriate sanction.
                                   Misconduct
                                    Count One
       {¶ 9} On February 23, 2009, a grand jury indicted respondent on one
count of tampering with records, two counts of grand theft, and two counts of
falsification related to her illegally obtaining Section 8 housing. Respondent
pleaded guilty to two counts of grand theft, each a felony of the fourth degree.
She was sentenced to 120 days in jail with credit for 65 days served, followed by
three years of community control.       The court imposed further sanctions and
conditions, including a requirement that respondent complete the NorthEast Ohio
Community Alternative Program (“NEOCAP”).             Upon her release from the
program, respondent was to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings four times
per week, follow all NEOCAP aftercare recommendations, continue mental-
health counseling, and complete 200 hours of community service.
                                    Count Two
       {¶ 10} On July 13, 2009, respondent was indicted on one count of
possession of cocaine, one count of trafficking in cocaine, and one count of

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complicity to traffic in cocaine. She pleaded guilty to one count of possession of
cocaine, a felony of the fifth degree, and was sentenced to 120 days with credit
for 65 days served, with the same sanctions and conditions that were imposed in
the grand-theft case.
          {¶ 11} As noted earlier, respondent has admitted that her conduct violated
Prof.Cond.R. 8.4(b) and (h).       Clear and convincing evidence supports these
findings, and thus, we adopt the findings and conclusions of the board as to these
counts.
                                      Sanction
          {¶ 12} In Columbus Bar Assn. v. Linnen, 111 Ohio St.3d 507, 2006-Ohio-
5480, 857 N.E.2d 539, at ¶ 25, we stated, “In determining the appropriate sanction
for professional misconduct, we consider the duties violated, the actual or
potential injury caused, the lawyer’s mental state, the existence of aggravating or
mitigating circumstances, and sanctions imposed in similar cases.” Further, as we
noted in Disciplinary Counsel v. O'Neill, 103 Ohio St.3d 204, 2004-Ohio-4704,
815 N.E.2d 286, ¶ 53, in fashioning a sanction we are mindful that “the primary
purpose of disciplinary sanctions is not to punish the offender, but to protect the
public.”
                                 Mitigating Factors
          {¶ 13} As mitigating factors, the board found that respondent had
provided full and free disclosure during the investigation, displayed a cooperative
attitude, and received other penalties and sanctions.       Rules and Regulations
Governing Procedure on Complaints and Hearings Before the Board of
Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline (“BCGD Proc.Reg.”) 10(B)(2)(d)
and (f). Relator has so stipulated, and we agree with the board’s determination in
this respect.
          {¶ 14} Respondent has also submitted additional medical, psychological,
and testimonial evidence to this court in support of mitigation, but failed to

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present it at the hearing, and it was not considered by the board. As we held in
Columbus Bar Assn. v. Sterner (1996), 77 Ohio St.3d 164, 167-168, 672 N.E.2d
633, “the time for the production of evidence is at the formal hearing before a
panel appointed by the Secretary of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances
and Discipline. * * * Rule V [of the Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio]
has no provision for the introduction of evidence in the brief filed in this court or
in the oral argument to this court. Only in the most exceptional circumstances
would we accept additional evidence at that late stage of the proceedings.” No
such exceptional circumstances are present in this case, and we reject the
additional evidence.
                               Aggravating Factors
       {¶ 15} As aggravating factors, the board found pursuant to stipulations of
the parties that respondent had exhibited a dishonest or selfish motive, engaged in
multiple criminal offenses, failed to appear at the board hearing, and has prior
disciplinary offenses, including an interim felony suspension relating to the
current charges and an indefinite suspension imposed by this court on May 20,
2010, for using a client trust account to pay personal expenses, representing a
decedent’s estate while her license remained inactive, and receiving attorney fees
not approved by the probate court. Disciplinary Counsel v. Cantrell, 125 Ohio
St.3d 458, 2010-Ohio-2114, 928 N.E.2d 1100.
       {¶ 16} We agree that respondent exhibited a dishonest or selfish motive,
engaged in multiple criminal offenses, and failed to appear at the board hearing,
all of which are aggravating factors. BCGD Proc.Reg. 10(B)(1)(b), (d), and (e).
Although we also agree that respondent’s May 20, 2010 indefinite suspension
qualifies as a prior disciplinary offense and an aggravating factor, BCGD
Proc.Reg. 10(B)(1)(a), we disagree with the board that the interim felony
suspension relating to the current charges constitutes a prior disciplinary offense.
Our precedent indicates that a prior interim felony suspension has not heretofore

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been considered as a prior disciplinary offense. See, e.g., Disciplinary Counsel v.
Ulinski, 106 Ohio St.3d 53, 2005-Ohio-3673, 831 N.E.2d 425, ¶ 1 and 14
(acknowledging an interim felony suspension but determining that no prior
disciplinary offenses had occurred); Disciplinary Counsel v. O’Malley, 126 Ohio
St.3d 443, 2010-Ohio-3802, 935 N.E.2d 5, ¶ 1 and 10 (same); Disciplinary
Counsel v. Gittinger, 125 Ohio St.3d 467, 2010-Ohio-1830, 929 N.E.2d 410, ¶ 1
and 41 (same); Disciplinary Counsel v. Andrews, 124 Ohio St.3d 523, 2010-Ohio-
931, 924 N.E.2d 829, ¶ 1 and 18 (same); Disciplinary Counsel v. Butler, 128 Ohio
St.3d 319, 2011-Ohio-236, 943 N.E.2d 1025, ¶ 1 and 3 (same).
       {¶ 17} Accordingly, the determination by the board to the contrary
justifies our modification of its recommended sanction from permanent
disbarment to indefinite suspension. Our decision is in accord with others in
which we have imposed indefinite suspensions. See, e.g., Disciplinary Counsel v.
LoDico, 118 Ohio St.3d 316, 2008-Ohio-2465, 888 N.E.2d 1097 (imposing an
indefinite suspension rather than disbarment for felony and misdemeanor
convictions even though the attorney had a prior disciplinary record); Greene Cty.
Bar Assn. v. Saunders, 127 Ohio St.3d 241, 2010-Ohio-5708, 938 N.E.2d 352
(imposing indefinite suspension for additional disciplinary infractions when
attorney had prior felony conviction).
       {¶ 18} Thus, having reviewed the record, considered the aggravating and
mitigating factors, and reviewed the sanctions imposed for comparable conduct,
we adopt the board’s findings of fact and conclusions of law, but reject its
recommendation that respondent be permanently disbarred. Instead, we hereby
indefinitely suspend respondent from the practice of law, which suspension shall
be served consecutively to the indefinite suspension we imposed on May 20,
2010. Costs are taxed to respondent.
                                                            Judgment accordingly.

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                                January Term, 2011

       O’CONNOR, C.J., and PFEIFER, LUNDBERG STRATTON, O’DONNELL,
LANZINGER, CUPP, and MCGEE BROWN, JJ., concur.
                              __________________
       Jonathan E. Coughlan, Disciplinary Counsel, and Heather L. Hissom,
Assistant Disciplinary Counsel, for relator.
       Doreen Marie Cantrell, pro se.
                            ______________________

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