On Friday, December 12, 2025, the Board of Professional Conduct of the Supreme Court of Ohio recommended that attorney Jack Herchel VanBibber be suspended from practicing law for two years, following a disciplinary case involving multiple counts of misconduct. The board’s recommendation stems from findings of fact and conclusions of law presented after a hearing on October 23, 2025.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Jack Herchel VanBibber,” with case number 2024-038.
The disciplinary proceedings, initiated by a complaint filed on December 2, 2024, and later amended on May 15, 2025, centered on VanBibber’s lack of diligence, dishonesty, failure to cooperate with the Relator (Disciplinary Counsel), conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, and actions reflecting poorly on his fitness to practice law. While the initial complaint contained two counts, an additional two counts were added in the amended complaint, with Count 3 being dismissed before the hearing.
Much of the case’s factual basis was stipulated by both parties. The panel, consisting of Pablo A. Castro, Vito J. Abruzzino, and Teri R. Daniel, found clear and convincing evidence that VanBibber engaged in professional misconduct.
The findings revealed a pattern of misconduct, including issues arising from a case known as the “Casto Matter.” In this instance, VanBibber failed to appear at a scheduled settlement conference, made false statements to the court regarding his absence, and misrepresented the scheduling of hearings in relation to another case, “Schmelzer v. Hodges.”
Further, VanBibber was found to have violated rules related to making false statements to a tribunal and engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The board also addressed VanBibber’s failure to cooperate with the Relator during the disciplinary process and for making false statements. This included a failure to respond to inquiries and providing incomplete or dishonest information regarding his bank account transactions and reasons for not filing a motion to continue a hearing.
A significant aspect of the case involved the “Hartman Matter,” where VanBibber sent inappropriate Snapchat messages to the romantic partner of a client, soliciting her for sexual activity. The board found this conduct violated professional conduct rules and reflected adversely on his fitness to practice law.
In determining the sanction, the board considered aggravating and mitigating factors. Aggravating factors included prior disciplinary offenses, multiple offenses, a lack of cooperation with the disciplinary process, and the submission of false statements. Mitigating factors included his cooperation at the hearing and his payment of attorney’s fees previously ordered to be paid by his client.
The board’s recommendation of a two-year suspension without any stayed time reflects the seriousness of the violations and the need to maintain the integrity of the legal profession.
According to Avvo, Mr. VanBibber is a family lawyer in Mansfield, OH. He acquired his law license in Ohio in 2018.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
