The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection awards money for victims of attorney theft.

The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection awards money for victims of attorney theft.

The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection has awarded $39,580 to 19 victims of attorney theft. Eight 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.

Ashland County
Four former clients of suspended attorney Timothy E. Potts were reimbursed a total of $3,325 as a result of Potts’ failure to provide the services requested. Potts was suspended indefinitely from the practice of law in Ohio in December 2018.

Clark County
A former client of suspended attorney Daniel L. Bennett was reimbursed $1,100 as a result of Bennett’s failure to provide the services requested. Bennett was suspended indefinitely from the practice of law in Ohio in January 2019.

Cuyahoga County
The board awarded reimbursement to clients of two former Cuyahoga County attorneys.

A former client of suspended attorney Steven J. Moody was reimbursed $1,250 as a result of Moody’s failure to provide the services requested. Moody was suspended indefinitely from the practice law in Ohio in October 2018.

A former client of attorney Mark I. Verkhlin was reimbursed $10,000 as a result of Verkhlin’s failure to complete the services requested. Verkhlin resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, in September 2018.

Delaware County
A former client of attorney Brian Wade Harter was reimbursed $1,198 as a result of Harter’s failure to provide the services requested.  Harter was permanently disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio in September 2018.

Hamilton County
Two former clients of suspended attorney Justin E. Fernandez were reimbursed a total of $4,521 as a result of Fernandez’s failure to provide the services requested. Fernandez was suspended indefinitely from the practice of law in Ohio in September 2018.

Lucas County
Seven former clients of suspended attorney Mark A. Deters were reimbursed a total of $12,305 as a result of Mr. Deters’ failure to provide the services requested. Deters was suspended indefinitely from the practice of law in Ohio in December 2018.

Montgomery County
A former client of deceased attorney Barry S. Galen was reimbursed $880 as a result of Galen’s failure to complete the services requested prior to his death. Galen passed away in March 2018.

Summit County
A former client of attorney Mark Andrew Chuparkoff was reimbursed $5,000 as a result of Chuparkoff’s failure to provide the services requested. Chuparkoff resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, in September 2018.

The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, formerly known as the Clients’ Security Fund, was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court of Ohio to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement, or misappropriation. The fund has awarded more than $23 million to consumers since inception.