Lawyer given suspension for client shortcomings

11/3/2005

The license of a Toledo area lawyer to practice law in Ohio was suspended yesterday after an investigation showed he mishandled the legal affairs of clients, including failing to perform services.

The Ohio Supreme Court handed Jeffrey Vild an indefinite suspension, the harshest penalty short of disbarment, for several violations of disciplinary rules. He could apply for reinstatement of his license after two years.

A lawyer since 1985, Mr. Vild, 45, was publicly reprimanded by the Supreme Court in 1998 for taking a case that he was not competent to handle and neglecting an entrusted matter.

The recent discipline stems from complaints made to the Toledo Bar from 1997 to 2004 involving representation of clients in litigation ranging from drunken driving and bankruptcy to domestic relations.

The Supreme Court said Mr. Vilk neglected important legal work on behalf of clients and failed to make contact with some after they called him.