On Friday, June 13, 2025, the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct recommended a one-year suspension of Attorney Matthew Christopher Mollica’s law license, with the suspension fully stayed, provided no further misconduct occurs. The recommendation stems from Mollica’s submission of inaccurate fee applications in 2021 while serving as court-appointed counsel.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Matthew Christopher Mollica,” with case no. 2024-34.

Mollica primarily represented indigent criminal defendants in 2021 across Muskingum, Noble, Coshocton, Washington, Perry, Licking, and Guernsey counties. He worked 12 to 15 hours daily, often six or seven days a week. To receive payment, Mollica submitted standardized fee applications to courts, certifying the hours worked. However, a 2022–2023 review by the Ohio Public Defender’s Office found discrepancies in his 2021 submissions, totaling 2,785.9 hours. This included ten days billed over 24 hours, eight days between 20 and 24 hours, and 24 days between 16 and 20 hours. Many in-court hours were uniformly billed at 0.5 hours, regardless of actual time spent.

The panel determined Mollica violated Professional Conduct Rule 8.4(c) by engaging in misrepresentation. The Board also cited a pattern of misconduct as an aggravating factor. Mitigating factors included no prior disciplinary record, full cooperation with the investigation, and 18 character reference letters from judges, attorneys, and others. Mollica voluntarily reimbursed $10,197 to five counties in April 2025, calculated based on hours billed beyond 16 per day at an average rate of $55 per hour. The panel found no evidence of intentional overbilling.

At the May 15, 2025, hearing, Mollica, represented by George Jonson, explained that his inexperience and heavy workload led to errors. He began reducing his caseload in October 2021 and left his firm by year’s end. The panel recommended a one-year stayed suspension, noting Mollica’s remorse, restitution, and strong character evidence, aligning the sanction with precedent cases.

The recommendation states:

“Pursuant to Gov. Bar R. V, Section 12, the Board of Professional Conduct considered this matter on June 13, 2025. The Board voted to adopt findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation of the hearing panel and recommends that Respondent, Michael Duane Juhola, be suspended from the practice of law in Ohio for one-year, with the suspension stayed in its entirety, on the condition that he refrains from further misconduct and pays the costs of these proceedings.”

According to Avvo.com, Mr. Mollica is a DUI and DWI attorney in Cambridge, Ohio. He attended Vermont Law School, graduating in 2018. He acquired his law license in Ohio in the same year.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.