On Friday, August 1, 2025, the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct recommended a six-month suspension for attorney Darnell Maurice Wilson, with the suspension stayed in its entirety subject to certain conditions, following findings of professional misconduct related to his representation of a client in a civil case involving the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Darnell Maurice Wilson,” with case no. 2024-043.
The misconduct allegations included a lack of communication with his client, failure to diligently pursue the case, improper withdrawal from representation, and violations concerning the management of client funds in his Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (IOLTA).
Wilson’s client, Zola Stewart, was the owner of Focus Solutions Inc., a consulting firm. The Hamilton County Board filed a complaint against Stewart and her company, alleging improper payments under a contract with the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati. Stewart sought Wilson’s legal assistance in February 2020, and they agreed on a retainer fee of $1,500.
Despite receiving the full retainer, Wilson failed to deposit the funds into his IOLTA account, a requirement under Ohio’s professional conduct rules. Evidence presented during the hearing indicated that he did not begin working on the case until March 5, 2020, after receiving the retainer payment. The case was subsequently delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Wilson did not maintain adequate communication with Stewart throughout this period.
In May 2021, the Hamilton County Board served discovery requests to Wilson, which he claimed to have mailed to Stewart. However, she never received them, nor did she receive an invoice for outstanding legal fees that Wilson purportedly sent later that month. Communication between Wilson and Stewart ceased for several months, during which Wilson failed to inform her of critical developments in the case, including a motion for default judgment filed against her in October 2021.
Wilson’s lack of communication continued, as he did not notify Stewart of the court’s decision to grant the motion for default judgment in May 2023, resulting in a substantial financial judgment against her and her company. This judgment amounted to over $183,000, including interest. Stewart only became aware of the situation when she received a garnishment notice in November 2023.
In light of these findings, the Panel determined that Wilson violated multiple rules of professional conduct, including failing to act with diligence, failing to keep his client informed, and improperly withdrawing from representation without court approval. Although a motion to withdraw was never filed, Wilson continued to receive correspondence related to the ongoing case.
The Panel considered both aggravating and mitigating factors in its recommendation. They noted the vulnerability of Stewart, the harm she suffered due to Wilson’s actions, and the absence of any prior disciplinary record for him. Additionally, Wilson’s mental health issues, exacerbated by personal losses during the pandemic, were recognized as a mitigating factor.
Ultimately, the Board recommended that Wilson’s six-month suspension be fully stayed on the condition that he completes a one-year term of monitored probation and refrains from further misconduct. Wilson will also be responsible for covering the costs associated with the disciplinary proceedings.
According to Avvo.com, Mr. Wilson is an attorney in West Chester Township, Ohio. He acquired his law license in Ohio in 2017.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
