Supreme Court suspends Kafantaris’ law license

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George Kafantaris

A state panel has recommended permanent disbarment.

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed with counsel for the Trumbull County Bar Association and suspended the law license of Warren attorney George Kafantaris, effective immediately.

The Supreme Court ordered Kafantaris to “cease and desist from the practice of law in any form and is hereby forbidden to appear on behalf of another before any court, judge, commission, board, administrative agency, or other public authority.”

Kafantaris, 55, who has an office on North Park Avenue, is also required to notify clients within 30 days of his suspension and notify them to seek legal services elsewhere, the Supreme Court said. He had practiced in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.

He must also turn over any papers or other property he has in his possession to clients who have pending cases with him, the court said.

In addition, he must refund any part of any fees or expenses paid in advance that are unearned or not paid, and account for any trust money or property in his possession or control, the court said.

Atty. Curtis J. Ambrosy and Atty. Randil Rudloff, both of Warren, recommended the immediate suspension earlier this month, citing a case in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court before Judge Timothy E. Franken in which Kafantaris was found in contempt of court, leading to a mistrial in a rape case.

Ambrosy and Rudloff said the circumstances suggested that Kafantaris’ license should be revoked to protect the public.

Judge Franken fined Kafantaris $250 and found him in contempt Nov. 4 for being late to court and not following the judge’s instructions.

Nov. 4 is the same day the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline of the Ohio Supreme Court recommended that Kafantaris be permanently disbarred for several previous incidents, including actions that led to his indictment recently on a charge of grand theft in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.

Kafantaris has said he will appeal that recommendation, which could have allowed Kafantaris to practice law another six months, Ambrosy said.

The complaint filed by Rudloff and Ambrosy on behalf of the Trumbull County Bar Association, which also forms the basis of the criminal charges, stems from Kafantaris’ handling of a $25,000 settlement for a client he represented in a personal injury lawsuit and other matters.

An investigation indicated that Kafantaris settled the case without notifying the deceased woman’s family and then failed to keep the money in a trust account. He eventually paid the $25,000 to the family, records show.

Kafantaris was also found to be in contempt of court twice by Judge Ashley C. Pike in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court for his actions during a murder trial in January 2007.

He appealed that ruling to the 7th District Court of Appeals.