The Ohio Supreme Court’s Board of Professional Conduct today announced seven cases recently certified to the board by a probable cause panel.

In each case, a certified complaint has been sent to the respondent, and the respondent has been asked to file an answer to the allegations contained in the complaint. Once an answer is received, the case will be assigned to a three-member hearing panel of the board, and the hearing panel will conduct further proceedings in the case.

Typically, a public hearing is scheduled within four to six months after the case is assigned to a hearing panel. Please consult the Upcoming Hearings schedule for a monthly schedule of board hearings. Contact the board’s office at 614.387.9370 to confirm that a hearing will be held as scheduled or for more information about a case. Case documents can be obtained via e-mail upon request.

If the board finds that a lawyer or judge has engaged in professional misconduct, the board will file a report with the Supreme Court that includes a recommended sanction. The Supreme Court is responsible for reviewing the case record and imposing discipline.

To access the complaints in these cases, click on the individual case numbers below.

Disciplinary Counsel, Relator v. Charles Gary Mickens, Respondent
Case No. 2015-051
Respondent’s address: 219 Beachwood Drive, Youngstown
Respondent’s Counsel: None

Columbus Bar Association, Relator v. Eric Lee LaFayette, Respondent
Case No. 2015-052
Respondent’s address: 415 E. Broad St., Suite 113, Columbus
Respondent’s Counsel: None

Disciplinary Counsel, Relator v. Christopher Ramon Bucio, Respondent
Case No. 2015-053
Respondent’s address: 10 N. Market St., Troy
Respondent’s Counsel: None

Disciplinary Counsel, Relator v. Gerald Robert Walton, Respondent
Case No. 2015-054
Respondent’s address: 6060 Rockside Woods Blvd., Spectrum Building, Suite 200, Independence
Respondent’s counsel: None

Wood County Bar Association, Relator v. Robert Eugene Searfoss III, Respondent
Case No. 2015-055
Respondent’s address: 112 E. Oak St., Bowling Green
Respondent’s counsel: Patrick B. Cavanaugh

Columbus Bar Association, Relator v. Keith James Nowak, Respondent
Case No. 2015-056
Respondent’s address: 118 Olentangy St., Columbus
Respondent’s counsel: None

Disciplinary Counsel, Relator v. Mohammed Noure Alo, Respondent
Case No. 2015-057
Respondent’s address: 4249 Easton Way, Suite 125, Columbus
Respondent’s counsel: None

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