Ohio

Who is Investigating Ex-Ohio AG Marc Dann? AP Counts Six Agencies

Marc Dann has resigned as Ohio’s attorney general, but that is by no means the end of the official investigation of the alleged fraternity house atmosphere in his office that drove Dann to resign from his job earlier this week. The Associated Press says at least six investigations are ongoing…

May 16, 2008 9:37 PM CDT

Judge Frees Ohio Dad Jailed for Daughter’s Truancy

Jailed for a week after his 18-year-old daughter failed to complete her high school equivalency degree, an Ohio man has gotten another chance. Brian Gegner was released today by a Butler County juvenile court judge after an emotional hearing, reports the Enquirer. He now has until July 16 to see…

May 16, 2008 9:18 PM CDT

Prosecutor Asks Supreme Court to Block Suit by Wrongfully Convicted Youth

An Ohio prosecutor is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block a civil lawsuit against her for the role she played in the conviction of a 12-year-old boy that was later overturned. The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in January (PDF) that prosecutor Amanda Spies of Tuscarawas…

May 15, 2008 5:02 PM CDT

Ohio AG Marc Dann Resigns, But State Probe of His Office May Continue

After sidestepping yesterday afternoon when several media reports said he was about to resign, Ohio’s attorney general stepped up to the plate today. Marc Dann, 46, announced his resignation, apparently effective immediately, despite a reported failure to work out a departure deal with state legislators and the governor’s office, according…

May 14, 2008 10:11 PM CDT

Ohio AG to Resign Over ‘Dannimal House’ Scandal?

Despite media reports that Ohio’s embattled attorney general, Marc Dann, was expected to announce his resignation today, the latest news is that he is holding on to his office, at least for now. Dann, 46, had stood his ground so far, as state legislators threatened to seek his impeachment. But…

May 13, 2008 7:51 PM CDT

Ohio AG Admits to Affair, Fires Two Aides Tied to Sex Harassment Probe

The former Democratic chairman of Ohio is calling for the resignation of Attorney General Marc Dann following a sexual harassment scandal in his office. James Ruvolo told the Dayton Daily News that Democrats “can’t stand by and hem and haw” about the scandal. “We [Democrats] came into office because of…

May 5, 2008 2:59 PM CDT

Lawyer Suspended for Accepting Estate-Planning Clients from Direct Mailer

A Michigan lawyer has agreed to a two-year suspension in Ohio for accepting clients from a company that uses direct mail to market estate-planning services, the Legal Profession Blog reports. The lawyer, Katherine Jackel of Ann Arbor, made only $175 for work on a financial-planning document that cost the client…

May 2, 2008 1:35 PM CDT

2 Midwest Firms Form 320-Lawyer Midsize Law Partnership

Effective today, two Midwest law firms have merged into a 320-lawyer partnership. It will be known by the name of the larger firm, which is based in Cincinnati—220-lawyer Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, reports the National Law Journal, in an article reprinted by New York Lawyer (reg. req.). Robert Hicks, managing…

May 1, 2008 5:24 PM CDT

Ohio AG Marc Dann Considers Policies to Address ‘Dannimal House’ Image

Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann is considering a new e-mail policy after thousands of e-mails released in a sexual harassment investigation led critics to label his office “Dannimal House.” Spokesman Jim Gravelle says top officials in Dann’s office are discussing changes that would cover e-mail exchanges and establish guidelines for…

Apr 30, 2008 11:48 AM CDT

Ohio Supreme Court Bars Death Penalty for Mentally Retarded Man

The Ohio Supreme Court has struck down a death sentence for a convicted double murderer because of his mental retardation, despite evidence that he could play video games, pay bills and drive a car. The court ruled it would be cruel and unusual punishment to execute Clifton White III for…

Apr 10, 2008 11:43 AM CDT

Ohio Lawyer Gets Probation for Faking Kidnapping

An Ohio attorney who disappeared for several days last year while pregnant and later falsely claimed to have been kidnapped at gunpoint, has been sentenced to probation and a $300 fine in a Toledo misdemeanor case for making false alarms. Karyn McConnell Hancock, 35, apologized to investigators, family and friends…

Apr 9, 2008 4:08 PM CDT

Ohio Pledges $30M More to Resolve Youth Prison Litigation

Following a troubling report last year about Ohio’s youth prison, the state has promised to direct $30 million in additional funding and hire 100 more guards to improve the system. The state, in a settlement agreement (PDF), also said it would hire more psychologists, nurses, social workers and teachers, the…

Apr 4, 2008 6:06 PM CDT

Nasty Race for Wisconsin Supreme Court Ends With Upset

An expensive, bitter supreme court race in Wisconsin ended Tuesday with the first unseating of a justice since 1967, when Chief Justice George Currie was ousted after he allowed the Milwaukee Braves to relocate to Atlanta. Burnett County Circuit Judge Michael Gableman succeeded in his bid for the high court,…

Apr 2, 2008 6:25 PM CDT

Ohio Offers Free Legal Services for Homeowners Facing Forclosure

As home foreclosure rates continue to reach record levels, Ohio’s political leaders are supporting a program that offers free legal representation to Ohioans making below $54,000 a year for a family of four and are in danger of losing their homes. The Save the Dream program involves a network of…

Apr 2, 2008 6:09 PM CDT

Not Yet Merged with McGuireWoods, 8 Helms Mullis Lawyers to Go Elsewhere

Although an upcoming merger at the end of the month will put more than 100 lawyers at Charlotte, N.C.-based Helms Mullis & Wicker into one of the nation’s largest law firms, not every attorney is looking to practice at a big firm. Among those who prefer to go smaller: eight…

Mar 26, 2008 4:01 PM CDT