The Ohio law license of attorney John C. Stewart of Lambertville Michigan has been suspended for two years, with the second year of that term stayed on conditions, for neglect of legal matters entrusted to him by multiple clients, failure to keep those clients reasonably informed about the status of their cases or to refund the unearned portion of their fee advances, and failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities during the investigation of  his misconduct.

In a 7-0 per curiam decision announced today, the court adopted findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that Stewart violated, among others, the state disciplinary rules that require an attorney to provide competent representation and act with reasonable diligence in representing clients, to hold property of clients in a dedicated trust account separate from the lawyer’s own property, to promptly return case files and unearned fee advances to which clients are entitled, and to promptly respond to a demand for information during a disciplinary investigation.

The court adopted the board’s recommendation that Stewart’s license be suspended for two years, with the second year stayed on the conditions that he be evaluated by and enter into a contract with the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program (OLAP), comply with a treatment plan developed by OLAP, and serve a one-year term of monitored probation.

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2012-1338. Toledo Bar Assn. v. Stewart, Slip Opinion No. 2013-Ohio-795.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 11-014.  John C. Stewart, Attorney Registration No. 0042580, is suspended from the practice of law for two years, with the second year of the suspension stayed on conditions.
O’Connor, C.J., and Pfeifer, O’Donnell, Lanzinger, Kennedy, French, and O’Neill, JJ., concur.
Opinion: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2013/2013-Ohio-795.pdf

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