On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended attorney Sterling Everard Gill II from the practice of law for two years, with 18 months of that suspension conditionally stayed. The decision stems from multiple ethical violations related to the management of his client trust account.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Sterling Everard Gill II,” with case no. 2025-0483.
This recent disciplinary action marks the fourth time Gill has faced suspension. In 1988, he was indefinitely suspended for misappropriating $4,700 in client funds. A second suspension occurred in April 2007 for failing to meet continuing legal education requirements, followed by reinstatement roughly six weeks later. In 2013, Gill received a two-year suspension, with one year stayed, for over 40 ethical violations across nine grievances, largely due to failures in managing a client trust account, communicating with clients, and responding to inquiries from the regulator. He was reinstated in October 2019 and placed on monitored probation for two years, which concluded in January 2023.
The current suspension arises from a complaint filed in October 2024 by the disciplinary counsel, alleging six ethical rule violations. These included failing to keep client funds separate from his own, inadequate record-keeping for his client trust account, charging an excessive fee, and knowingly making a false statement of material fact during a disciplinary matter.
A hearing was conducted before a three-member panel of the Board of Professional Conduct, where Gill and three other witnesses testified. While no formal stipulations were made, the parties jointly submitted 29 exhibits, with additional exhibits submitted separately by both the relator and Gill. The panel dismissed two of the alleged violations due to insufficient evidence but found that Gill had committed four ethical violations related to his client trust account.
The panel recommended a two-year suspension, fully stayed, contingent on Gill committing no further misconduct and serving a two-year term of monitored probation focused on compliance with Prof.Cond.R. 1.15, which governs client-trust-account management. The board adopted the panel’s findings and recommended sanction.
The Supreme Court adopted the board’s findings of misconduct but determined that a more substantial sanction was necessary. The court’s decision to impose a two-year suspension with 18 months stayed considers aggravating factors such as Gill’s prior disciplinary record, including a past suspension for similar misconduct, and a pattern of misconduct involving his client trust account. Mitigating factors included Gill’s acknowledgement of wrongdoing, lack of dishonest or selfish motive, cooperative attitude, and character references.
Upon reinstatement, Gill will be subject to a two-year period of monitored probation, overseen in accordance with Gov.Bar R. V(21), with specific attention to his compliance with Prof.Cond.R. 1.15. Gill is responsible for covering the costs associated with the disciplinary proceedings.
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Gill II is a workers’ compensation attorney in Columbus, Ohio. He acquired his law license in Ohio in 1978.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
