Grievance

Ashtabula County Bar Association Certified Grievance Committee
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 409, Jefferson, Ohio 44047
grievanceashtabula@gmail.com
440-275-0717

Catherine R. Colgan, Chairperson
Jason L. Fairchild, Bar Counsel

Grievance Forms can be picked up M-F (excluding legal holidays) at
Ashtabula County Law Library – 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson, Ohio 44047
or
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am – 2pm
Ashtabula County Bar Association Office 77 North Chestnut Street, Jefferson, Ohio 44047

Ohio Board of Professional Conduct Website: https://www.bpc.ohio.gov/

The Grievance Process

What to expect next regarding your grievance:

A grievance sent to a local bar association’s certified grievance committee will be reviewed to determine whether the grievance alleges a violation of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct.

Once you provide to us your complaint form, the investigation of your grievance can proceed. The grievance investigation generally takes approximately 60 to 90 days; however, it can be longer should the grievance require a more extensive investigation. You may be contacted to provide additional information to the Committee. Should this occur, you must provide the information in order for the Committee to continue its investigation. Please note that you will not necessarily be contacted during the investigation. The Committee does not always need additional information from you to investigate your complaint and will not contact you if it is not required. However, if you have questions during the investigation or wish to obtain the status of your complaint, you may contact the assistant secretary to the Grievance Committee by telephone (440) 275-0717 between the hours of 9:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m.

Following the investigation, if substantial, credible evidence is found that a violation has occurred, a formal complaint may be filed with the Board of Commissioners of the Grievance and Discipline. A three-member panel of the Board will review the complaint and determine whether probable cause exists to certify it. If the complaint is certified by the Board, a hearing may be held before a different three-member panel of the Board. The panel considers the evidence and makes a recommendation to the full Board of Commissioners. The full Board then makes a recommendation to the Supreme Court of Ohio. The Supreme Court of Ohio has final say on whether to discipline an attorney and what sanction should be administered. A Grievance is confidential until the Board certified it as a formal complaint. A grievance or complaint can be dismissed at any point in the process.

General Information:

Please be advised that the Committee CANNOT give legal advice or provide legal representation for you. The Committee CANNOT recover or collect monies on your behalf. The Committee cannot make a determination of the merits of your case. The sole function of the Committee is to conduct a disciplinary investigation which may result in a sanction against the attorney. The disciplinary process will not effect or change court decisions made in your case.

A grievance sent to a local bar association’s certified grievance committee will be reviewed to determine whether the grievance alleges a violation of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct.