The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection (LFCP) reimbursed $243,600 to 13 victims of attorney theft at its March meeting. Five former or suspended Ohio attorneys were determined to have engaged in dishonest conduct resulting in financial losses to their clients. Since its inception, LFCP has awarded over $26 million to consumers.

Franklin County
The board determined that former clients of two Franklin County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement.

Seven former clients of former attorney Elizabeth V. Westfall were determined to be eligible for reimbursement totaling $124,136 as a result of her failure to provide the services requested. Westfall pleaded guilty to theft on Sept. 18, 2025. She resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Dec. 12, 2025.

A former client of disbarred attorney Gregory Darwin Port was determined to be eligible for reimbursement in the amount of $100,000 as a result of his misappropriation of client funds. Port was disbarred by the Supreme Court of Ohio on Nov. 27, 2024. As a result, he lost his license to practice and is not eligible to return to the practice of law in Ohio.

Montgomery County
The LFCP Board of Commissioners determined that former clients of two Montgomery County attorneys were eligible for reimbursement.

The board reconsidered a claim filed by a former client of suspended attorney Frank Michael Payson. Payson’s former client was determined to be eligible for reimbursement of $1,471.12 as a result of his failure to provide the services requested. Payson’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended on July 12, 2024.

Three former clients of former attorney David Edmund Stenson were determined to be eligible for reimbursement in the total amount of $15,000 as a result of his failure to provide the services requested. Stenson resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Feb. 18, 2025.

Ottawa County
A former client of suspended attorney Amanda Andrews was determined to be eligible for reimbursement in the amount of $3,000 as a result of her failure to provide the services requested. Andrews was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Jan. 12, 2024.

Board determinations become final 30 days after the determination unless a 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 1% of those attorneys are 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 toll-free at 800-231-1680 in Ohio.