The Supreme Court of Ohio has suspended William McClain, a former Air Force attorney, for two years following his conviction on charges related to an alcohol-fueled incident. The suspension comes after McClain's February 2023 conviction for two felony counts of aggravated assault and one felony count of inducing panic. He had been under interim suspension since March 2023.
McClain, who previously served as a judge advocate general with the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, has been reassigned to a non-attorney role. The court's decision requires him to meet five conditions before he can seek reinstatement to practice law.
The opinion was joined by Justices Patrick F. Fischer, R. Patrick DeWine, Michael P. Donnelly, Melody Stewart, and Joseph T. Deters, along with Tenth District Court of Appeals Judge Carly M. Edelstein sitting in for Justice Jennifer Brunner. Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy concurred and dissented in part regarding credit for time served under the interim suspension.
The incident that led to McClain's legal troubles occurred in October 2022 when he became belligerent while intoxicated at a bar with his fiancée Jennifer Miller and others. After an altercation outside the bar and later at his home involving firearms and threats against Miller and her companions, police intervention was required.
McClain pleaded guilty to multiple charges including misdemeanor assault and domestic violence alongside the felonies for which he was convicted. His sentence included community control measures such as community service hours, counseling requirements, firearm forfeiture, no-contact orders with some involved parties, and financial penalties.
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint based on these convictions leading to disciplinary proceedings where it was noted that McClain’s actions were influenced by excessive alcohol consumption and untreated mental health issues.
In considering sanctions similar cases were reviewed where attorneys involved in violent incidents received two-year suspensions with credit for time served during interim suspensions.
“We take McClain’s violent and reckless acts seriously," stated the Court emphasizing public safety concerns due to mixing weapons with alcohol use.
To be reinstated McClain must adhere not only to his criminal sentence but also comply with additional terms set by professional conduct boards including ongoing treatment programs demonstrating fitness for ethical legal practice.
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