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Warren attorney facing disbarment

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Supreme Court’s board of professional conduct recommended that a Warren attorney be permanently disbarred.

The finding was made this month following an Aug. 21, 2017, hearing before three board members that ruled that attorney John H. Large, who has an office on North Park Avenue, engaged in professional misconduct and recommended an indefinite license suspension.

When the full board considered the matter on Feb. 9, it concluded that because of two prior suspensions, Large’s conduct reflects a “clear and continuing disregard for his professional obligations … and for the integrity of the legal profession.”

Permanent disbarment must be approved by the high court.

During last August’s hearing, Large acknowledged he did not act with “reasonable diligence and promptness” during interactions with clients John Baryak of Newton Falls and a West Virginia woman

In the case of the West Virginia woman, Large was accused of not appearing twice in Warren Municipal Court, including a bench trial on March 23, 2016. The woman also accused Large of not returning phone calls and withholding legal documents from her that month.

In the other complaint, Large represented Newton Falls Councilman John Baryak in legal challenges filed by Werner Lange and Bruce Moore to Baryak’s council candidacy. Baryak prevailed and was subsequently elected to the seat.

According to the complaint, Large told Baryak he had valid grounds to sue the two men. In October 2014, Baryak retained Large to represent him in a civil action against the two men. Large was paid $2,500, the document states.

Baryak’s complaint states Large allegedly did no work or inform his client on the course of Baryak’s lawsuit, which was filed in December 2014. Large also was accused of not working on another lawsuit that was filed against Lange and Moore in 2016, which Large later dismissed.

As a result of the legal actions, Moore’s lawyer filed a countersuit in November 2016, seeking sanctions against Baryak, which the court granted in early 2017.

On March 24, 2017, Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Ronald J. Rice fined Baryak $10,306 for fees and expenses Moore incurred in the first lawsuit and fined Baryak and Large $15,153 for expenses Moore incurred in the second lawsuit. At that hearing, Rice also noted the claims made by Large and Baryak were frivolous.

In its judgment, the board of professional conduct ordered Large reimburse Baryak the $2,500 retainer and any amounts Baryak was fined by the court.

Large was disciplined twice previously, two-year suspensions in 2009-11 and 2012-14 over professional misconduct.

Attempts to contact Large for comment were unsuccessful.

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