The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection has awarded $80,354 to 25 victims of attorney theft. Eleven former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated client funds. One attorney, since deceased, also was involved in the claims presented to the Board of Commissioners.

Cuyahoga County
The Board awarded reimbursement to former clients of three former Cuyahoga County attorneys and former clients of one deceased Cuyahoga County attorney.

A former client of Joseph E. Feighan, III was reimbursed $2,500 as a result of the former attorney’s failure to provide the services requested.  Mr. Feighan resigned from the practice of law in Ohio in December 2016 with discipline pending.

A former client of James M. Johnson was reimbursed $4,166 as a result of the former attorney’s failure to distribute or otherwise account for client funds.  Mr. Johnson resigned from the practice of law in Ohio in September 2016 with discipline pending.

Six former clients of deceased attorney George W. MacDonald were reimbursed a total of $9,300 as a result of Mr. MacDonald’s failure to complete the services requested prior to his death. Mr. MacDonald passed away in April 2017.

Four former clients of suspended attorney Mark I. Verkhlin were reimbursed a total of $6,005 as a result of Mr. Verkhlin’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Verkhlin’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended in January 2018.

Franklin County
The Board awarded reimbursement to former clients of three former Franklin County attorneys.

A former client of Stanlee E. Culbreath was reimbursed $6,067.51 as a result of the former attorney’s failure to distribute or otherwise account for client funds. Mr. Culbreath resigned from the practice of law in September 2016 with discipline pending.

A former client of Joseph Dues Reed was reimbursed $3,000 as a result of the former attorney’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Reed resigned from the practice of law in Ohio in April 2017 with discipline pending.

A former client of David G. Simonette was reimbursed $30,000 as a result of the former attorney’s dishonest conduct. Mr. Simonette resigned from the practice of law in Ohio in January 2017 with discipline pending.

Hamilton County
The Board awarded reimbursement to former clients of two Hamilton County attorneys.

Three former clients of suspended attorney Daniel A. Niehaus were reimbursed a total of $11,360.47 as a result of Mr. Niehaus’ failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Niehaus’ license to practice law in Ohio was suspended indefinitely in September 2017.

A former client of attorney Justin E. Fernandez was reimbursed $1,500 as a result of Mr. Fernandez’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Fernandez was publicly reprimanded in September 2016.

Mahoning County
Two former clients of Heidi A. Hanni were reimbursed a total of $3,250 as a result of the former attorney’s failure to provide the services requested. Ms. Hanni resigned from the practice of law in Ohio in October 2016 with discipline pending.

Trumbull County
The Board awarded reimbursement to former clients of two former Trumbull County attorneys.

Three former clients of Timothy E. Bellew were reimbursed a total of $1,500 as a result of the former attorney’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Bellew was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio in December 2017.

A former client of Csaba A. Bodor was reimbursed $1,706 as a result of the former attorney’s failure to provide the services requested. Mr. Bodor resigned from the practice of law in Ohio in July 2016 with discipline pending.

The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, formerly known as the Clients’ Security Fund, was created in 1985 by the Ohio Supreme Court to reimburse victims of attorney theft. The awards meeting took place Friday in Columbus.