The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct has filed 10 reports with the Supreme Court of Ohio, nine recommending discipline for Ohio attorneys and one recommending discipline for a sitting judge.

The Board dismissed one case after finding the relator failed to prove alleged ethical violations on the part of two attorneys.

Parties will have an opportunity to file objections to the Board’s reports and recommendations with the Supreme Court. If a party files objections, the Supreme Court will schedule the case for oral argument. Objections are not permitted in consent-to-discipline matters.

Additional information about each case, including the report and recommendation, may be obtained by clicking on the case number below.

Cuyahoga County

Disciplinary Counsel v. Carolyn Kaye Ranke
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0491
Recommended sanction:  Disbarment

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association v. Robert Smith III
Supreme Court Case No. 2023-0708
Recommended sanction:  Two-year suspension

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association v. Joanne Brown
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0487
Recommended sanction:  Six-month suspension, stayed

Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association v. Brian Matthew Taubman
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0483
Recommended sanction:  Public reprimand

Franklin County

Columbus Bar Association v. Amanda Marie Burgess & Michael Dean Christensen
Board Case No. 2023-008
Board resolution:  Case dismissed and costs assessed to the relator

Columbus Bar Association v. Teresa Ann Villarreal
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0492
Recommended sanction:  One-year suspension, six months stayed

Hamilton County

Disciplinary Counsel v. Calvin Sylvester Tregre Jr.
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0493
Recommended sanction:  Two-year suspension

Disciplinary Counsel v. Hon. Ralph Edward Winkler
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0488
Recommended sanction:  Public reprimand

Lucas County

Toledo Bar Association v. Joseph William Westmeyer III
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0489
Recommended sanction:  Six-month suspension, stayed

Montgomery County

Disciplinary Counsel v. Frank Michael Payson
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0481
Recommendation:  Impairment suspension

Disciplinary Counsel v. Scott David Bissell
Supreme Court Case No. 2024-0482
Recommended sanction:  Two-year suspension, stayed