The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct files report, with recommendation for discipline against Medina County attorney

The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct recently filed six reports with the Ohio Supreme Court, including the recommendation for discipline against Medina County attorney Eric Dorman Hall. Court documents state the case involves Hall's failure to act competently and diligently and to communicate with an indigent client that he was appointed to represent by the Medina Municipal Court, which resulted in the client serving 28 days in jail. According to court documents, Hall failed to determine if the court's procedure for releasing a defendant without current housing had applied to his client, which may have allowed the client's earlier release. On March 8, 2024, Charles Beekman was arrested and held in the Medina County Jail. The maximum penalty for Beekman's violation was 30 days in jail and a fine of $250. Beekman was arraigned on March 11, 2024, according to court documents. Hall was appointed as his counsel. On the same day, a bench trial was scheduled for March 26, 2024, and bail was set, pending Beekman's provision of a current residential address. Court documents state Beekman could not provide an address and remained in jail for 28 days, being released on April 5, 2024. After Beekman's arraignment and without consulting Beekman, court documents state that Hall filed a jury demand and a discovery request. The trial date of March 26, 2024, was vacated and rescheduled for May 2, 2024. According to court documents, Hall did not make any effort to determine if Beekman remained incarcerated following his arraignment or if the court had a procedure for releasing a defendant without a current residential address. On April 4, 2024, and without Beekman's consent, court documents state that Hall filed a request for an expedited change of plea and sentencing hearing, which was denied. The following day, the court modified the bail conditions on its own motion, which allowed Beekman to be released without having to provide a current residential address, court documents state. He was released from jail that day. According to court documents, Hall did not meet with Beekman and had no communication with him while he was incarcerated. On April 23, 2024, Hall filed a motion to withdraw as counsel at Beekman's request, which was denied the next day. On April 24, 2024, Hall filed a motion for the evaluation of Beekman's competency, which was later granted. On April 25, 2024, Beekman filed a grievance with the Medina County Bar Association Certified Grievance Committee, court documents state. Beekman took part in his competency examination, court documents state. On June 5, 2024, a hearing was held, and the court was informed that Beekman was not competent to assist in his defense and was recommended to be treated at a mental health facility for 30 days. Hall failed to object to that recommendation and failed to inform the court that Beekman was already confined for 28 days, court documents state. He also failed to argue that the charges should be dismissed due to the length of time Beekman was incarcerated. According to court documents, Beekman objected to the findings of the evaluation. The court ordered that Beekman be taken back into custody and transported to a treatment facility. On June 6, 2024, on its own motion, the court vacated the order for inpatient treatment. Court documents state that the court noted it could not take further action, given the maximum penalty, and therefore dismissed the charges. In reviewing the findings, a hearing panel of the Board of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court of Ohio held on July 14 found clear and convincing evidence that Hall's conduct was a violation. Court documents state the hearing panel recommended that Hall receive a fully stayed six-month suspension on several conditions. The conditions include that Hall engage in no further misconduct, that he serve six months of monitored probation by an attorney in good standing and who will periodically review all criminal cases Hall has been assigned to, and that Hall must complete six hours of continuing legal education on the topics of lawyer communication and diligence, besides the continuing legal education requirements. On Oct. 3, the Board of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court of Ohio considered the matter and voted to adopt the findings of fact, conclusions of law and the recommendation of the hearing panel, court documents state. The board recommended that Hall be suspended for six months, fully stayed, with the conditions previously set. Court documents state it also recommended that the costs of the proceedings be taxed to Hall. Following the board's recommendations, the Supreme Court of Ohio ordered that the parties involved show cause why the recommendation of the board should not be confirmed by the court and the disciplinary order entered. The order was filed on Oct. 8. The Ohio Supreme Court ordered that any objections to the findings of fact and recommendation, together with a brief in support, be submitted within 20 days from the order's filing. Additionally, an answer brief may be filed on or before 15 days after any brief in support of objections has been filed. Court documents state that instead of objections, the parties may file a no-objection brief in support of the recommended sanction within 20 days of the order's filing. The parties may file a joint waiver of objections within the set 20 days. After a hearing on the objections, or if no objections are filed, the court will enter an order it finds proper, whether that be the discipline recommended by the board or may be more or less severe than said recommendation. Hall was previously disciplined for nine counts for failing to perform agreed-upon work or to respond to clients' efforts to reach him, court documents state. The Ohio Supreme Court ordered Hall to pay restitution and to be suspended from the practice of law for two years with six months stayed, followed by one year of probation. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.