Ohio Supreme Court Suspends Attorney Kenneth Grant Hawley for Failing to Respond to Disciplinary Complaint

On Monday, February 10, 2025, the Supreme Court of Ohio suspended Attorney Kenneth Grant Hawley following a certification of default filed by the Board of Professional Conduct. This action was taken after Hawley failed to respond to a formal complaint pending against him.

The case is entitled “In the Matter of Kenneth Grant Hawley,” with case no. 2025-0080.

The ruling prohibits Hawley from practicing law in any capacity. He is barred from representing clients before any legal authority, as well as from advising or preparing legal documents for others. Additionally, he has lost all rights and privileges associated with being a member in good standing of the Ohio legal profession.

The court’s order specifies that Hawley must take several actions within designated timeframes. Within 30 days, he is required to notify all clients of his suspension and arrange for the transfer of their legal matters to other attorneys. He must also return any unearned fees and account for any client trust funds he controls. Furthermore, Hawley is ordered to complete one hour of continuing legal education for each month of his suspension.

Reinstatement to the practice of law will not be possible until Hawley meets specific conditions outlined by the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio, including compliance with the current suspension order and any other directives issued by the court. He must also reimburse any amounts awarded by the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection.

The Disposition states:

“Upon consideration thereof and pursuant to Gov.Bar R. V(14)(B)(l), it is ordered and decreed that an interim default suspension is immediately entered against Kenneth Grant Hawley, Attorney Registration No. 0031772, last known a business address in Cincinnati, Ohio, and that the suspension is effective as of the date of this entry.”

According to avvo.com, Mr. Hawley is a car accident attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended the University of Cincinnati College of Law, graduating in 1979. He acquired his law license in Ohio in the same year. 

A copy of the original filing can be found here.