Engaged Ohio Lawyers Sanctioned for Trading Confidences

Two attorneys who were engaged to be married and who practice in the same area of the law but worked for different firms were sanctioned by the Ohio Supreme Court Oct. 25 for sharing confidential client information.

The two were suspended for six months, but the penalty was stayed.

Thomas Holmes and Brie Kerr represented public school districts for their respective law firms. They developed a personal relationship after meeting at a conference.

For about two years, Holmes and Kerr exchanged emails that contained client information. For example, Kerr forwarded Holmes emails from her clients requesting legal documents and Holmes ...