The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct today released its 2016 annual report, highlighting its consideration of disciplinary cases involving Ohio judges and lawyers and a significant expansion of the Board’s education and outreach activities.

For the fourth time in the past five years, the Board reduced its pending caseload by disposing of 83 disciplinary cases and ending the year with 57 pending cases, including 24 cases filed in the last two months of the year. The case dispositions included three recommendations for sanctions in judicial misconduct cases and the dismissal of a fourth judicial discipline case following the respondent’s agreement to permanently resign from judicial service.

As part of a continuing effort to enhance the legal profession’s understanding of and compliance with ethics standards, the Board expanded its education and outreach activities in 2016. These efforts included:

• Issuing 12 advisory opinions, including seven opinions that replaced outdated opinions interpreting former professional conduct rules.
• The publication of an Ethics Guide on File Retention that addresses common questions regarding the retention, return, and disposition of client files.
• Making 41 education presentations to judges, lawyers, and law students.

“Ohioans expect judges and lawyers to adhere to the high standards of ethical conduct established by the Supreme Court,” said Board Director Richard A. Dove. “The 2016 annual report reflects the efforts of the Board of Professional Conduct to assist in meeting this expectation and hold accountable those who fail to follow accepted professional ethics requirements.”

As the second-oldest board established by Ohio Supreme Court rule, the Board celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2017. The Board is comprised of 28 volunteer commissioners, including judges, lawyers, and members of the public.