Disciplinary Counsel v. Thomas A. Shimko, Case No. 2018-1438
Cuyahoga County

A Cuyahoga County attorney objects to a proposed two-year suspension, with one-year stayed, based on allegations that he attempted to extort an attorney fee from his client that was $2,000 more than estimated.

The Board of Professional Conduct is recommending that the Supreme Court suspend Timothy A. Shimko based on multiple violations of the rules governing the conduct of Ohio lawyers, including charging a clearly excessive fee and engaging in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law.

Shimko claims the board disregarded the Court's 2010 Squire, Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP v. Givaudan Flavors Corp. decision when it found that he violated the rules while attempting to resolve a fee dispute. He claims his actions are permissible and that he shouldn't be suspended, or that his suspension be fully stayed.