The Supreme Court of Ohio has suspended the law license of Columbus attorney Regina Hilburn for 18 months, with the final 12 months of that term stayed on conditions, for neglecting legal matters entrusted to her by clients in four different cases, failing to promptly respond to requests for information from those clients or to notify them about the status of their cases, and failing to cooperate with disciplinary authorities investigating her misconduct.

In a 7-0 per curiam opinion announced today, the court adopted findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that after accepting fee advances from the complaining clients, Hilburn failed to make required court filings and otherwise act with reasonable diligence in advancing their cases, resulting in court action adverse to the interests of her clients.

Hilburn also admitted that during a contempt proceeding arising from her neglect of one case, she told the judge that she had been in contact with the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP) to seek help with mental health issues that had contributed to her substandard performance, when in fact she had made no such contact.

The court approved a stipulated agreement between Hilburn and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel that Hilburn’s law license be suspended for 18 months with the final 12 months stayed on the conditions that she engage in no further misconduct, remain in compliance with a mental health disability contract she has entered into with OLAP, and that upon reinstatement she fully cooperate with an attorney appointed to monitor her practice in accordance with state bar governance rules.   The court also conditioned her reinstatement on the certification of a qualified psychiatrist that she is able to return to the competent, ethical, and professional practice of law.

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2012-0678. Disciplinary Counsel v. Hilburn, Slip Opinion No. 2012-Ohio-5528.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 11-033.  Regina Lynn Hilburn, Attorney Registration No. 0056085, is suspended from the practice of law in Ohio for 18 months, with 12 months of the suspension stayed on conditions.
O’Connor, C.J., and Pfeifer, Lundberg Stratton, O’Donnell, Lanzinger, Cupp, and McGee Brown, JJ., concur.
Opinion: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2012/2012-Ohio-5528.pdf

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