COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection (LFCP) announced it has awarded a total of $161,472.80 to 15 victims of attorney misconduct at its recent meeting. These individuals were financially harmed by ten disbarred or suspended attorneys, and in one case, a deceased attorney.
Since its establishment in 1985, the LFCP has provided over $23 million in reimbursement to consumers who lost money due to attorney theft, embezzlement, or misappropriation. Funded by registration fees paid by all Ohio attorneys, the LFCP serves as a safety net for clients who suffer financial losses as a result of dishonest legal representation.
Reimbursements Awarded Across the State
The recent awards covered claims from several Ohio counties:
- Butler County: A former client of disbarred attorney Dennis Lee Adams received $7,739.07 due to Adams’ failure to deliver requested legal services.
- Cuyahoga County: Four former attorneys faced claims, with reimbursements ranging from $3,000 for failure to perform services to $100,000 for theft of trust assets.
- Franklin County: Three former attorneys were involved in claims, with reimbursements awarded for service failures.
- Mahoning County: Clients of a deceased attorney received a total of $20,393.33 for unfinished legal work, while another client of a suspended attorney was reimbursed $4,715 for service failures.
- Medina County: A former client of a suspended attorney received $6,500 due to the attorney’s failure to provide requested services.
Resources Available for Consumers
The LFCP Board’s determinations become final after 30 days unless a party requests reconsideration. The LFCP emphasizes that less than one percent of Ohio’s over 45,000 practicing attorneys are involved in claims reimbursed by the Fund.