The Supreme Court of Ohio today suspended a Cincinnati attorney for two years for violating rules of professional conduct. The final 18 months of the suspension will be stayed if the attorney meets certain conditions.

The Cincinnati Bar Association, which filed the charges in this case, and Steven J. McBeth agreed to the facts concerning McBeth’s misconduct in a consent-to-discipline agreement that the court unanimously adopted.

In 2011, McBeth accepted a client who was suing his former girlfriend for property and personal injury damages. McBeth told the client he had filed a lawsuit when he had not. He also spent the client’s $1,500 retainer on personal items.  Over a six-month period, McBeth did not respond to repeated attempts by the client to reach him.

In addition, McBeth owed a total of $825 to two other clients. He has paid back each of the clients.

The agreement noted that McBeth has suffered from chemical dependency and mental health issues.

In adopting the two-year suspension, the court agreed that the sanction will be stayed for 18 months if McBeth enters into and complies with a contract with the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program and commits no additional misconduct. When McBeth is reinstated to the practice of law, he must serve monitored probation for 18 months, the court ruled.

2013-0569. Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. McBeth, Slip Opinion No. 2014-Ohio-1611.

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