The Supreme Court of Ohio has disbarred Hamilton attorney Dennis L. Adams and ordered him to pay over $25,000 in restitution to former clients and others affected by his misconduct. The court found that Adams committed 19 ethics violations across three client matters, including neglect that resulted in a client's Social Security benefits being garnished.
In its opinion, the court noted that Adams misled clients, misused settlement funds, and neglected cases. The decision for permanent disbarment was influenced by Adams' lack of cooperation during disciplinary investigations and the harm caused to vulnerable clients. Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy and Justices Patrick F. Fischer, R. Patrick DeWine, Michael P. Donnelly, Melody Stewart, and Joseph T. Deters supported the opinion while Justice Jennifer Brunner did not participate.
A complaint against Adams was filed by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel with the Board of Professional Conduct in September 2022. One affected client was Teresa McAdams who hired Adams in July 2017 after an auto accident injury case involving another driver insured by Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company.
Adams settled a claim with the other driver for $22,000 but failed to reimburse Medicare as promised while Medicaid received payment. He dismissed a pending lawsuit against Allstate without informing McAdams or refiling it within the required timeframe.
By March 2019, McAdams learned her Social Security benefits would be reduced due to unpaid Medicare bills related to her treatment costs from the accident—an issue she raised with Adams who did not respond adequately or resolve it before her benefits were reduced further by July 2022.
After hiring new legal representation who informed them about their dismissed case against Allstate being unrecoverable due to time limits expiring; they pursued malpractice action resulting in default judgment awarding them damages worth $272k because of no response from defendant’s side on this matter either!
Additionally found guilty regarding two other clients where similar misconduct occurred: entering into contingent fee agreements improperly withholding portions settlements causing extra expenses incurred handling these cases elsewhere – hence ordered pay additional restitution amounts alongside court costs involved too!