Disciplinary Actions: July 1-Sept. 30, 2022

  • Print
Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
This audio file is brought to you by
0:00
0:00
Loading audio file, please wait.
  • 0.25
  • 0.50
  • 0.75
  • 1.00
  • 1.25
  • 1.50
  • 1.75
  • 2.00

Reinstatement

Centennial, Colorado, attorney Rebecca L. Balanoff was reinstated to the practice of law in Indiana effective Aug. 5. Balanoff had been suspended on May 5 for failing to cooperate with the investigation of a grievance against her. On Aug. 5, the executive director of the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission filed a certification of compliance indicating Balanoff had cooperated with the investigation.

Indianapolis attorney Aftin R. Brown was reinstated to the practice of law effective July 1. Brown had been suspended on June 29 after she failed to respond to a show-cause order regarding the investigation of a grievance against her. On July 1, the executive director of the Disciplinary Commission filed a certification of compliance indicating Brown had cooperated with the investigation.

Indianapolis attorney Adams S. Mears was reinstated to the practice of law effective July 20. In October 2016, Adams resigned from the Indiana bar and agreed not to seek reinstatement for five years. He petitioned for reinstatement on Nov. 12, 2021, and the parties reached a conditional agreement for reinstatement. The costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

Suspension

Indianapolis attorney Grant E. Helms was suspended for at least 275 days without automatic reinstatement effective Sept. 15 after his disciplinary probation was revoked. In July 2021, Helms had been suspended for 365 days effective May 20, 2021, with 90 days actively served and the remainder stayed subject to the completion of two years of probation with monitoring by the Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program. Helms tested positive for methamphetamine in March 2022 in violation of his probation. The costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

South Bend attorney Sven Eric Marshall was placed under interim suspension effective Sept. 1 after being convicted of federal offenses including mail fraud, securities fraud and bank fraud, all with forfeiture allegations. Marshall is already under two additional suspensions. The interim suspension will continue until further order of the court or final resolution of any resulting disciplinary action, provided no other suspension is in effect.

Indianapolis attorney Marco A. Genesis Moreno was suspended indefinitely effective Sept. 1. Moreno did not respond to an order that he show cause as to why he should not be immediately suspended for failing to cooperate with the investigation of a grievance against him. He also did not respond to a request for ruling and to tax costs. The costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

Lexington, Kentucky, attorney Michael O. Murray was suspended for 60 days effective July 20. Murray had been suspended by the Kentucky Supreme Court for one year, and the Indiana Supreme Court found no showing of any reason why reciprocal discipline should not be imposed. However, the Indiana court determined substantially different discipline was warranted in Indiana. The July 20 order provided that Murray would be automatically reinstated at the end of the 60-day period, and the Indiana Roll of Attorneys indicates he has been in “active in good standing” status since Sept. 18. The costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

Indianapolis attorney Justin A. Paicely was suspended for 90 days effective Sept. 1, with 30 days actively served and the remainder stayed subject to completion of at least one year of probation with JLAP monitoring. The costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

New Castle attorney Martin R. Shields was suspended for 150 days effective Aug. 31, with 120 days actively served and the remainder stayed subject to the completion of at least two years of probation with continued JLAP monitoring. The parties agreed that Shields violated Indiana Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(b) pursuant to his guilty plea to Level 6 felony methamphetamine possession. The costs of the proceeding are assessed against him.

Termination of suspension

Haubstadt attorney Daniel J. Hancock’s noncooperation suspension in Case No. 22S-DI-31 was terminated effective July 15. Hancock continues to be suspended in Case No. 22S-DI-133, in which he was also suspended for noncompliance with the investigation of a grievance against him.•

Please enable JavaScript to view this content.

{{ articles_remaining }}
Free {{ article_text }} Remaining
{{ articles_remaining }}
Free {{ article_text }} Remaining Article limit resets on
{{ count_down }}