From left: Cincinnati attorney Paul M. De Marco and Cleveland attorney William J. Novak.

From left: Cincinnati attorney Paul M. De Marco and Cleveland attorney William J. Novak.

The two leaders of the Ohio Supreme Court board that investigates judges and attorneys and conducts hearings about their ethical misconduct were re-elected as the 2016 board chair and vice chair positions.

Cincinnati attorney Paul M. De Marco will again serve as the chair of the Board of Professional Conduct. De Marco has served on the board since 2008. Before becoming chair in 2015, De Marco was vice chair. He has also chaired the board’s Advisory Opinion Committee and the committee that led the search for a new disciplinary counsel in 2013. De Marco practices at Markovits, Stock & De Marco, LLC and is an appellate law specialist certified by the Ohio State Bar Association.

Serving on the board since 2008, Cleveland attorney William J. Novak was re-elected to serve as the vice chair for 2016. Novak has previously served as a member of one of the board’s two probable cause panels. Novak practices at Novak Pavlik Attorneys.

De Marco’s and Novak’s new terms begin on Jan. 1, 2016, and they will serve one-year terms in their respective positions.

Appointed by the Supreme Court, the board is composed of 28 members including 4 public members, 7 active or retired judges, and 17 lawyers from across the state. The board conducts hearings and issues findings and recommendations to the Supreme Court on ethical misconduct complaints lodged against Ohio attorneys and judges. The board also engages in efforts to promote a greater understanding of and compliance with professional ethics standards.