The Supreme Court of Ohio has issued a two-year suspension to Cincinnati attorney Calvin S. Tregre Jr. for neglecting five client matters and retaining $4,750 in fees for incomplete work.
In a per curiam opinion, the Court mandated that Tregre must serve one year of monitored probation overseen by another attorney if reinstated. Justices Patrick F. Fischer, R. Patrick DeWine, Michael P. Donnelly, and Melody Stewart concurred with the opinion.
Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy, in a separate opinion joined by Justice Joseph T. Deters, noted the absence of specific conditions for Tregre’s monitored probation and proposed five additional requirements: monthly submission of new or modified fee agreements to the monitoring attorney; monthly review of Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA) statements; random monthly reviews of active case files; development of a comprehensive plan to ensure diligent representation; and completion of three hours of continuing legal education on IOLTA maintenance.
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint against Tregre in September 2023 concerning his conduct between 2019 and 2023. The Board of Professional Conduct found him guilty of 24 professional conduct rule violations, including failure to file lawsuits on behalf of clients and ignoring their inquiries.
One such instance involved Anthony Landingham who hired Tregre in 2022 for a workplace discrimination claim with an agreed retainer fee of $2,250 and an hourly rate of $250. Despite receiving payment, Tregre failed to file the necessary complaint or maintain communication with Landingham over nearly a year.
Similarly, Gwinette Landrum hired Tregre in June 2021 for a medical malpractice lawsuit following back surgery. After limited communication from August to October 2021 and sending one letter to the surgeon involved in November 2021, Tregre did not pursue further action or respond substantively to Landrum’s repeated attempts at contact.
Tregre's lackluster response extended to disciplinary investigations where he delayed responses despite multiple communications from investigators until formal charges were filed.
At his disciplinary hearing, it was noted that prior to these incidents starting in 2020 when he opened his solo practice due to personal circumstances involving his wife’s medical crisis requiring constant care, Tregre had practiced law without incident for nearly 18 years.
The Court endorsed the board’s recommendation for a two-year suspension with restitution payments totaling $4,750 within 90 days. Additionally, if reinstated, Tregre must complete three hours of continuing legal education on law office management and work under supervision for one year while also bearing the costs associated with disciplinary proceedings.
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