Columbus Attorney’s License Suspended Indefinitely
2009-1533. Columbus Bar Assn. v. Chasser, Slip Opinion No. 2010-Ohio-956.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 08-045. Timothy G. Chasser, Attorney Registration No. 0016847, is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio.
Moyer, C.J., and Pfeifer, Lundberg Stratton, O'Connor, O'Donnell, Lanzinger, and Cupp, JJ., concur.
Opinion: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2010/2010-Ohio-956.pdf 
(March 18, 2010) The Supreme Court of Ohio today imposed an indefinite suspension against the law license of Columbus attorney Timothy G. Chasser for multiple acts of misconduct in his dealings with a client he represented in a personal injury case.
The Court adopted findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that after obtaining a $95,000 settlement from the party responsible for his client’s injuries, Chasser billed the client for more than $8,100 in fictitious “deposition fees” in addition to the 33 percent contingent fee he had agreed to accept, and also converted to his own use $30,000 he withheld from the client’s proceeds to satisfy a subrogation agreement between the client and the state Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Chasser never forwarded the $30,000 to the workers’ compensation bureau, and after the client challenged the “deposition fees” included in his bill, Chasser submitted a revised distribution sheet in which he eliminated that charge but substituted an $1,800 refund to the client and retained an additional $6,333 in legal fees, which he later alleged to be payment for his services in negotiating the workers’ compensation subrogation agreement.
In today’s 7-0 per curiam decision, the Court agreed with the disciplinary board’s conclusions that Chasser’s actions violated, among others, the state disciplinary rules that require attorneys to keep client funds in a dedicated trust account and maintain accurate records of funds held for clients and that prohibit intentionally causing prejudice or damage to a client; engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation; and engaging in conduct that adversely reflects on an attorney’s fitness to practice law.
Contacts
Dennis McNamara, 614.464.2770, for the Columbus Bar Association.
Kenneth Donchatz, 614.241.5550, for Timothy Chasser.
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