Cincinnati Legal Ethics

Lawyers in Cincinnati and throughout Ohio must take an oath that they will represent their clients without compromise and conflict. The “Code of Professional Responsibility” and the “Code of Judicial Conduct” are used by the Supreme Court of Ohio to regulate the conduct of lawyers. Clements, Mahin & Cohen, L.P.A., Co. of Cincinnati outlines ethics rules below.

These codes outline the ethics that each lawyer must follow. For example, a lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio may not:

• Knowingly mislead or lie to a client
• Reveal the client’s confidential information without the client’s permission
• Misuse or take the client’s money without the client’s permission
• Settle, file, or dismiss a case without the client’s permission
• Show negligence in the handling of the client’s case after he/she has agreed to represent the client

Limitations of Ethics Complaints

Not every complaint against a lawyer is grounds for an ethics complaint. For example, disputes over fees are not usually a basis for an ethics complaint. Also, an ethics complaint will not help you overturn the result of a civil or criminal case. Similarly, an ethics complaint will not lead to the recovery of monetary damages.

Filing an Ethics Complaint in Cincinnati

Do you have a complaint about lawyer ethics in Cincinnati? If so, you can file a written complaint against the lawyer.

• After filing the written complaint, there will be an investigation into the lawyer’s actions.
• The investigating committee or disciplinary counsel will gather the evidence of your complaint and determine if the lawyer violated ethics rules.
• If the investigating committee finds evidence of wrongdoing, then a formal complaint will be filed.
• The Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline will hold a public hearing, and you may need to testify.
• Based on the outcome of this hearing, the Supreme Court of Ohio may decide to limit or stop the lawyer from practicing law in the state of Ohio.

If you have a question about ethics laws in Cincinnati, you should check with a Cincinnati legal malpractice attorney. A legal malpractice law firm in Cincinnati will help you understand legal ethics and malpractice laws within your state.

If you are looking for a Cincinnati legal malpractice law firm, call Clements, Mahin & Cohen, L.P.A., Co. Attorneys at Law, at 513-721-6500 or contact us via our web form.