On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended attorney William Thomas Daly from practicing law for 18 months, with the suspension fully stayed on the condition that he commits no further misconduct and pays the costs of the disciplinary proceedings. The decision stems from Daly’s violation of professional conduct rules by disclosing confidential client information to a police officer.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of William Thomas Daly,” with case no. 2024-1399.
Daly faced disciplinary action following a January 2024 complaint filed by the Dayton Bar Association. The complaint initially alleged 12 violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct related to his representation of a single client, identified as S.H. In July 2024, Daly and the bar association reached an agreement, stipulating that he violated Prof.Cond.R. 1.6(a), which prohibits revealing confidential client information without informed consent. The parties dismissed the remaining 11 allegations and recommended an 18-month stayed suspension.
The case originated from Daly’s representation of S.H., a single mother in her early twenties struggling with financial hardship and drug addiction. In April 2016, Daly represented S.H. in a burglary case in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, securing a plea deal that resulted in community control sanctions.
In August 2018, after S.H. violated her community control by using illegal drugs, Daly represented her at a revocation hearing, leading to her reinstatement and placement in the court’s Women’s Therapeutic Docket, a program for women needing intensive support for addiction and mental health issues. Concurrently, Daly represented S.H. in a child custody case in Montgomery County Juvenile Court, where he filed motions for sole custody, child support, and a protective order against the child’s father.
The misconduct occurred after Daly believed S.H. had stolen a necklace from his car. On October 31, 2018, S.H. obtained an ex parte civil protection order against Daly, prompting him to file a motion to withdraw from her custody case the following day. On November 2, 2018, Daly met with Officer Steven Perfetti of the Riverside Police Department to discuss the alleged theft. During these meetings, Daly disclosed that S.H. was homeless, staying with a drug dealer, engaging in prostitution, and using drugs such as heroin and marijuana. He also provided S.H.’s phone numbers, suggesting one could be used to purchase drugs, and noted she was driving a vehicle with tags registered to another person to avoid licensing issues. Daly admitted at his disciplinary hearing that this information came solely from confidential attorney-client communications.
The Board of Professional Conduct found clear evidence that Daly violated Prof.Cond.R. 1.6(a), as none of the exceptions allowing disclosure applied. The board noted aggravating factors, including Daly’s selfish motive, possibly retaliating due to the alleged theft and the protection order, and his initial lack of cooperation in the disciplinary process. Mitigating factors included his lack of prior discipline and eventual admission of the violation. Although the disclosures did not ultimately impact S.H.’s criminal or custody cases, they posed significant risks, including potential new charges or loss of custody.
The Supreme Court adopted the board’s recommendation for a 12-month stayed suspension. The court also granted a motion to strike an affidavit Daly filed and denied his motions to restrict public access to dismissed complaint counts and adopt prior court sealing orders.
The Disposition states:
“Accordingly, William Thomas Daly is suspended from the practice of law in Ohio for 18 months, with the entire suspension stayed on the conditions that he commit no further misconduct and that he pay the costs of these proceedings. If Daly fails to comply with either condition of the stay, the stay will be revoked, and he will serve the entire 18-month suspension.”
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Daly is a criminal defense attorney in Dayton, Ohio. He attended the University of Dayton, School of Law. He acquired his law license in Ohio in 1998.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
