Boardman lawyer suspended 2 years

Staff report

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Supreme Court has unanimously decided to suspend for two years the law license of Boardman attorney Michael A. Sakmar, with the second year of that term stayed on certain conditions.

The high court said Wednesday that it imposed the suspension because Sakmar was tardy or absent for scheduled proceedings before Youngstown Municipal Court on multiple occasions over a two-year period.

The top court said Sakmar’s pattern of unprofessional conduct had resulted in multiple citations for contempt of court, and on one occasion caused the municipal court to issue a bench warrant for his arrest.

The high court said it imposed the suspension in light of Sakmar’s multiple incidents of misconduct and his failure to respond to the disciplinary complaint filed against him or cooperate with disciplinary authorities.

The second year of the suspension will be stayed on the conditions that he commit no further violations, complete two years of monitored probation upon returning to law practice and complete eight hours of continuing legal education in law-office management, in addition to the normal continuing-legal-education requirements for all Ohio lawyers.

Sakmar could not be reached to comment on the suspension.