The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection (LFCP) reimbursed $161,472.80 to 15 victims of attorney theft at its recent meeting. Ten former or suspended Ohio attorneys were determined to have engaged in dishonest conduct resulting in financial losses to their clients. One deceased attorney was also involved in claims presented to the Board of Commissioners. Since its inception, LFCP has awarded over $23 million to consumers.

Butler County
A former client of disbarred attorney Dennis Lee Adams was determined to be eligible for reimbursement in the amount of $7,739.07 as a result of Adams’ failure to provide the services requested. Adams was disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Feb. 20, 2024.

Cuyahoga County
The Board determined that former clients of four Cuyahoga County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement.

A former client of former attorney Dorothea Jane Kingsbury was reimbursed $100,000 as a result of Kingsbury’s theft of trust assets. Kingsbury resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Jan. 12, 2024.

A former client of former attorney Jacqueline Ann O’Brien was reimbursed $3,000 as a result of O’Brien’s failure to provide the services requested. O’Brien resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Oct. 30, 2023.

A former client of former attorney Sean Richard Porter was reimbursed $8,000 as a result of Porter’s failure to provide the services requested. Porter resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Oct. 28, 2022.

Two former clients of former attorney Gary Allen Vick Jr. were reimbursed a total of $3,100 as a result of Vick’s failure to provide the services requested. Vick was disbarred from the practice of law in Ohio on Feb. 20, 2024.

Franklin County
The Board determined that former clients of three Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement.

A former client of former attorney Donald Andrew Cox was reimbursed $475 as a result of Cox’s failure to provide the services requested. Cox resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Nov. 17, 2023.

A former client of former attorney Owen David Kalis was reimbursed $1,500.40 as a result of Kalis’s failure to provide the services requested. Kalis resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on May 13, 2024.

Two former clients of suspended attorney James Edward Watson were reimbursed a total of $6,050 as a result of Watson’s failure to provide or complete the services requested. Watson was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on March 28, 2023.

Mahoning County
The Board determined that former clients of two Mahoning County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement.

Three former clients of deceased attorney William Joseph Kissinger were reimbursed a total of $20,393.33 as a result of Kissinger’s failure to complete the services requested prior to his death on March 14, 2023.

A former client of suspended attorney Robert James Rohrbaugh II was reimbursed $4,715 as a result of Rohrbaugh’s failure to provide or complete the services requested. Rohrbaugh was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Feb. 15, 2023, following his felony conviction.

Medina County
A former client of suspended attorney Russell Anthony Buzzelli was reimbursed $6,500 as a result of Buzzelli’s failure to provide the services requested. Buzzelli was suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on July 20, 2022.

Board determinations become final 30 days after the determination unless either party requests reconsideration. If reconsideration is granted, the claim will be reviewed by the Board at its next scheduled meeting.

The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, formerly known as the Clients’ Security Fund, was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court of Ohio to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement, or misappropriation. The LFCP is not taxpayer funded but is funded by registration fees paid by every Ohio attorney.

Ohio has over 45,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than one 1% of those attorneys is involved in claims reimbursed by the LFCP.

Law clients who believe they have sustained financial losses resulting from attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation should contact the LFCP by calling 614.387.9390 or 1.800.231.1680 toll free in Ohio.