March 1, 2002
17 Victims of Attorney Theft Awarded More Than $97,000 By Clients' Security Fund
Lawyers' Fund Has Awarded Over $5 Million to Consumers Since Inception
The Board of Commissioners of the Clients' Security Fund of Ohio (CSF), met on Friday, March 1, 2002 and awarded $97,263 to 17 victims of attorney theft. Six former or suspended Ohio attorneys were found to have misappropriated their clients' funds.
Suspended Cleveland attorney Michael Shafran was found to have misappropriated $1,800 in settlement funds belonging to one of his former clients. Mr. Shafran was suspended from the practice of law on May 2, 2000. Since June 1999, the CSF has awarded more than $340,000 to 41 of Mr. Shafran's former clients.
A former client of disbarred attorney Thomas G. Rockman, who also practiced in Cleveland, was awarded $4,300 as a result of his misappropriation of client funds. On Dec. 19, 2001, the Supreme Court of Ohio permanently disbarred Mr. Rockman from the practice of law in Ohio.
The CSF Board of Commissioners also reimbursed 12 former clients of Les Evan Rockmael, also of Cleveland. The Board determined that Mr. Rockmael misappropriated more than $67,000 from his former clients. On May 30, 2001, the Supreme Court of Ohio permanently disbarred Mr. Rockmael from the practice of law in Ohio.
A former client of Stark County attorney Timothy W. Watkins was awarded $690 as a result of Mr. Watkin's retention of an unearned fee. Mr. Watkins was indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio on Dec. 19, 2001.
The CSF Board of Commissioners also awarded $22,402.15 to a former client of former Cincinnati attorney J. Andrew Keplar. On Aug. 15, 2001, the Supreme Court of Ohio permanently disbarred Mr. Keplar from the practice of law in Ohio.
A former client of Charles J. Lantzwas awarded $500.00 as a result of Lantz's failure to provide the legal services requested. Mr. Lantz practiced law in Lancaster, Ohio (Fairfield County). By order dated Sept. 4, 2001, the Supreme Court of Ohio immediately suspended Mr. Lantz from the practice of law in Ohio following his felony conviction. Further disciplinary action against Mr. Lantz is pending.
The CSF was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court of Ohio to compensate victims of attorney theft. The CSF is not taxpayer funded, but funded entirely by registration fees paid by every Ohio attorney. Ohio has over 37,000 attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. Less than one tenth of one percent (1%) of those attorneys are involved in CSF claims.
Law clients who believe they have sustained financial losses resulting from attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation should contact the CSF by calling 614.387.9390 or 1.800.231.1680 toll free in Ohio.