OFFICE OF DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
THE SUPREME COURT OF OHIO
Joseph M. Caligiuri, Disciplinary Counsel
65 East State Street, Suite 1510
Columbus, Ohio 43215-4215
(614) 387-9700 I 1-800-589-5256 I (614) 387-9709 Fax
https://www.odc.ohio.gov
**************************************************************
INSTRUCTIONS
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel investigates allegations of unethical conduct against attorneys and judges, and
allegations that an individual or entity has engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. Please understand that our office has
no jurisdiction over and cannot involve itself in the legal merits of your case. The disciplinary process will not affect court
decisions made in your case. Disciplinary Counsel cannot give legal advice.
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION: If you are completing this form electronically using the Online Grievance Portal,
you must check the box attesting that you are the person listed as the grievant in the “Your Name” portion of the form, or
that you have permission from the person listed as the grievant in the “Your Name” portion of the form. When saving the
form to your computer, save it as “Last name Grievance.” For instance, if your name is Lisa Smith, save the grievance form
as “Smith Grievance.” Grievances that contain audio or video files, or are over 200 megabytes must be sent via US mail.
SUBMISSION BY US MAIL: If you are submitting this form via the Unites States mail, the form must be
completed and signed. Unsigned grievances will be returned. You may attach additional sheets of paper, if necessary, in
order to complete the “Facts of the Grievance” portion of the form. If you wish to file a grievance against more than one
attorney or judge, please use one form per attorney or judge. You may make additional copies of the form and you may
enclose all forms in one envelope. Please complete the form in black ink only and do not use pencil, write in between the
lines or in the margins of the form, affix post-it notes or stickers to the form, or use staples. If you include documentation
with your grievance, send copies only. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ORIGINALS. If additional pages are needed, please use
only 8 ½ x 11” size paper. After you have legibly completed the form, please sign and date the form.
The Rules of the Supreme Court of Ohio require that investigations be confidential. You are requested to keep
confidential the fact that you are filing this grievance. Only the attorney or judge against whom you are filing your grievance
may waive confidentiality. In filing a grievance, you are waiving the attorney-client privilege.
The attorney or judge against whom you are filing your grievance are entitled to receive a copy of your grievance
and may be asked to respond to your allegations. Your grievance may result in your attorney withdrawing from your case.
Disciplinary Counsel cannot prevent an attorney from withdrawing from representation.
Once received, please allow up to 90 days to review and respond to your grievance. During that time, we will advise
you if we dismiss your grievance or open the matter for investigation. We may or may not contacted you by mail or
telephone to provide additional information. We will only respond to inquiries from the person(s) who completed the form.
The Grievance Process
A grievance sent to the Disciplinary Counsel or a local bar association’s certified grievance committee will be reviewed
to determine whether the grievance alleges a violation of the Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct or the Code of Judicial
Conduct. If there is evidence supporting a violation, the grievance will be investigated. Following the investigation, if
substantial, credible evidence of a violation exists, a formal complaint may be filed with the Board of Professional Conduct. A
three-member panel of the Board will review the complaint and determine whether probable cause exists to certify it. If the
complaint is certified by the Board, a hearing may be held before a different three-member panel of the Board. The panel
considers the evidence and makes a recommendation to the entire Board. The Board then makes a recommendation to the
Supreme Court of Ohio. The Court has the final say on whether to discipline an attorney or judge and what sanction should be
imposed. A grievance is confidential until the Board certifies it as a formal complaint. A grievance or complaint can be
dismissed at any point in the process. Please keep this page for your records.
