On Wednesday, November 29, 2023, the Supreme Court of Ohio issued a one-year suspension with six months stayed against Attorney Jack Allen Blakeslee for misconduct that occurred in 2021.
The case is entitled “Disciplinary Counsel v. Jack Allen Blakeslee,” with case no. 2023-Ohio-4202.
According to the court opinion, Blakeslee was representing Alexander Wells, who was indicted for various offenses including aggravated murder in Guernsey County on June 1, 2021. On November 30, 2021, Blakeslee drove approximately 20 minutes from his home in Coal Ridge to Cambridge with an open can that contained his feces inside his vehicle. Surveillance video showed Blakeslee slowing his vehicle twice as he passed the parking lot of Haven of Hope, a victim advocacy center. He then tossed the can out of his window into their parking lot before driving to the Guernsey County Courthouse for a hearing in the Wells case.
Michelle Carpenter Wilkinson, the chief executive officer of Haven of Hope, who had known Blakeslee professionally for many years, witnessed Blakeslee throw the can. She discovered it contained human feces and later reported the incident to police. Blakeslee pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and littering related to the incident and paid fines.
During disciplinary proceedings, Blakeslee admitted to similar conduct on at least ten prior occasions that year, claiming the locations were randomly selected. However, the court rejected Blakeslee’s testimony that Haven of Hope was a random target, citing evidence that he intentionally selected that location. They determined his actions adversely reflected his fitness to practice law.
The court suspended Blakeslee for one year with six months stayed on the condition he committed no further misconduct. If he violates the terms of the stay, he will serve the entire one-year suspension. The disciplinary counsel had argued for a six-month stayed suspension while Blakeslee believed a public reprimand was sufficient. The court found his actions fell between prior cases in the severity of the misconduct.
The Disposition states:
“Accordingly, Jack Allen Blakeslee is suspended from the practice of law in Ohio for one year with six months stayed on the condition that he engage in no further misconduct. If Blakeslee fails to comply with the condition of the stay, the stay will be lifted and he will serve the entire one-year suspension. Costs are taxed to Blakeslee.”
According to avvo.com, Mr. Blakeslee is a criminal defense attorney in Caldwell, Ohio. He attended the University of Akron, C. Blake McDowell Law Center. He acquired his law license in Ohio in 1976.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
