Grievances
What is a Grievance?
A grievance is a complaint that a person files against an attorney or a judicial officer. Grievances against Ohio attorneys may be submitted to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel or a certified grievance committee of a local bar association. Grievances against Ohio judicial officers may be filed with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel or the Ohio State Bar Association. If any of those entities determines that substantial credible evidence of professional misconduct exists, they may choose to file a formal complaint. The complaint then moves to a probable cause panel of the Board of Professional Conduct, which determines if there is probable cause. If the panel determines that there is probable cause, the formal complaint becomes public and is filed with the Board of Professional Conduct. Hearings are then conducted by the board and if it finds a violation, a recommendation is made to the Supreme Court of Ohio. The Supreme Court of Ohio makes the final decision as to findings of misconduct and issues an appropriate sanction.
The disciplinary process will NOT serve to:
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Provide legal advice or representation.
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Force your attorney or the guardian ad litem to withdraw from your case.
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Force your attorney to take a particular course of action in your case.
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Refund the fees you have paid to an attorney.
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Remove a judicial officer from presiding over your case.
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Intervene in your legal proceeding in any way.
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Overturn a judicial officer’s decisions.
Next Steps
Should I file a grievance?
Allegations that an attorney has violated the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct or that a judge or magistrate has violated the Code of Judicial Conduct are serious. Grievances should not be made lightly or used to gain an advantage in your dealings with an attorney or judicial officer. Also, filing a grievance should not take the place of communicating with the attorney to attempt to resolve differences.
How do I file a grievance?
Click here to complete and submit a grievance against an attorney or judicial officer online using our electronic grievance form. You may also download the grievance form. If mailing the form, be sure to sign it. Unsigned grievance forms will be returned.