On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended attorney Benjamin Gerald Dusing from practicing law for three years. The Ohio court’s decision aligns with a Kentucky ruling from September 26, 2024, which imposed a three-year suspension on Dusing for professional misconduct in two child custody cases.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Benjamin Gerald Dusing,” with case no. 2023-SC-0483-KB.
Dusing faced charges stemming from his actions in the Kenton Family Court. The cases involved disputes with his ex-wife, Julie Tapke, and another individual, Jill Bakker, overseen by retired Judge Christopher Mehling. The Kentucky Bar Association accused Dusing of filing frivolous motions and appeals, threatening disciplinary complaints against the judge and opposing counsel, and attempting to bribe a child custody evaluator with $5,000 to alter an evaluation report.
A significant incident occurred on November 2, 2021, when Dusing posted a threatening video on Facebook targeting Judge Mehling’s staff attorney and Bakker’s lawyer. The video contained profane language and warnings of severe consequences, leading Mehling to recuse himself from the cases due to compromised impartiality. The Kentucky Bar Association’s investigation resulted in a three-day hearing, where Dusing was found guilty on all charges. The Supreme Court of Kentucky upheld the three-year suspension.
In Ohio, Dusing is barred from practicing law, counseling clients, or appearing before courts until reinstated in Kentucky. He must notify clients of his suspension, return client property, refund unearned fees, and complete continuing legal education, including professional conduct courses, during his suspension. Additionally, Dusing is required to reimburse any awards made by the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection within 90 days. The Ohio court mandates that he file an affidavit confirming compliance with these requirements within 30 days.
The Disposition states:
“On consideration thereof, it is ordered and adjudged by this court that pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(20)(C), respondent, Benjamin Gerald Dusing, Attorney Registration No. 0078572, last known business address in Fort Wright, Kentucky, is suspended from the practice of law for a period of three years, and that respondent will not be reinstated to the practice of law in Ohio until such time as the respondent is reinstated to the practice of law in the State of Kentucky.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Dusing is a litigation attorney in Fort Wright, Kentucky. He attended the University of Kentucky College of Law, graduating in 2001. He acquired his law license in Ohio in 2004.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
