The Disciplinary Counsel has filed a complaint with the Supreme Court of Ohio’s Board of Professional Conduct against attorney Jeffrey Dwight Hunter. The complaint, filed on October 26, 2023, alleges Attorney Hunter of making false statements and failing to provide competent representation.
The case is entitled “Disciplinary Counsel v. Jeffrey Dwight Hunter,” with case number 2023-035.
According to the filing, Hunter violated the following Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct:
1.1: A lawyer shall provide competent representation to a client.
1.3: A lawyer shall act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing a client.
1.4(a)(3): A lawyer shall keep the client reasonably informed about the status of the matter.
1.15(a): A lawyer shall hold property of clients or third persons that is in a lawyer’s possession in connection with a representation separate from the lawyer’s own property.
8.1(a): In connection with a disciplinary matter, a lawyer shall not knowingly make a false statement of material fact.
8.4(c): A lawyer shall not engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.
Previous disciplinary action was taken against Hunter in 2009 when he was suspended from practicing law for failing to register as an attorney. However, his suspension was subsequently lifted.
The recent complaint centers around Hunter’s representation of James T. Wills II, who had been indicted on serious charges, including rape and gross sexual imposition. Hunter was hired by Wills’ sister, Kerry Hanawalt, to file a motion for Wills’ early release. Despite accepting a fee of $2,500 for this task, Hunter failed to complete the necessary legal work. He provided misleading information to his client, failed to inform them of the inability to reduce the sentence through this process, and falsely claimed to have filed motions. His actions led to Wills’ decision to end his representation and request a refund.
As a result, the Disciplinary Counsel has filed a complaint against Hunter, seeking sanctions for his alleged professional misconduct.
The charge reads:
“Realtor requests that respondent be found in violation of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct and be sanctioned accordingly”
According to Avvo, Mr. Hunter is a criminal defense attorney in Pickerington, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Toledo College of Law and obtained his law license in Ohio in 1993.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
