Willoughby Attorney Indefinitely Suspended
2009-2339. Disciplinary Counsel v. Cantrell, Slip Opinion No. 2010-Ohio-2114.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 09-021. Doreen Cantrell, Attorney Registration No. 0040032, is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio.
Pfeifer, Lundberg Stratton, O'Connor, O'Donnell, Lanzinger, and Cupp, JJ., concur.
Brown, C.J., not participating.
Opinion: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2010/2010-Ohio-2114.pdf 
(May 20, 2010) The Supreme Court of Ohio today imposed an indefinite suspension against the law license of Willoughby attorney Doreen Cantrell for multiple violations of disciplinary rules and professional conduct violations in her handling of probate matters entrusted to her by two unrelated clients.
In a 6-0 per curiam opinion, the Court adopted findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that found that Cantrell “engaged in a pattern of misconduct involving the improper use of her client trust account, the misappropriation of client funds, and the knowing practice of law while her license was inactive.”
The findings note that Cantrell agreed to represent an estate while her law license was inactive, improperly collected legal fees from the client without first obtaining approval of those fees by the probate court in the representation of a decedent’s estate, and concealed assets belonging to a beneficiary of the estate. The other probate matter involved her application to be appointed guardian of the estate of a minor. The probate court granted her application conditionally upon her posting a $10,000 bond, but Cantrell never posted the required bond even though she acted as the minor’s guardian by signing a warranty deed to convey real property in the minor’s name to his mother.
Chief Justice Eric Brown did not participate in the Court’s deliberations or decision in the case.
Contacts
Jonathan E. Coughlan, 614.461.0256, for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
Doreen Cantrell, pro se, no current contact information available.
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