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his depo prep. Moody told Barrios this about   And more:               credible. Recommended violations included
            written discovery:                     So they’re…trying to play games,   Rules 3 and 8 [falsehoods], plus Rules 1.3 [lack
             “[W]hat I would do is, because we’re fighting   Because I played a game with her about not   of diligence] and 1.4 (a) (3) [failure to keep
              the bank, right, I would [vulgarity] with   giving them to her.      client informed]. Among several aggravating
              [Sweeney] at this stage.           So … I told you everything. And obviously …  factors was that Moody’s “conduct toward
              I completely ignored her [vulgarity] for a   you don’t               opposing counsel … constituted gender
              few months. And I made her file a Motion   want to discuss that I played a game with her   disparagement.” The Board recommended
              to Compel, and then I called her and said, oh,   ….                  indefinite suspension.
              yeah, I’ll get them to you in two weeks.  She isn’t going to want no part of your   The Court rejected Moody’s argument
              And  then  I  completely  ignored  her   [vulgarity].                that  indefinite suspension was  too severe,
              [vulgarity] again.                 And  this  might  take  all  day  ***  [.]  Yeah.   emphasizing that:
              So we did a telephone conference with the   Because  look,  she’s  an  arrogant  [vulgarity],   The integrity of our profession can be
              Magistrate, And I was like, oh, Your Honor, if   okay?”              maintained only if the conduct of the individual
              only I had known…                    She might ask you … do you know that you   attorney is above reproach.
              I said ... I moved my office ***, and I didn’t   were supposed to be here on, whatever the —   Amen to that.
              know that she was — she sent those things to   she had one or two dates. Did your attorney
              the wrong address. But I’ll get them out. And   tell you that you were supposed to be present
              I said ... this wasn’t necessary. So, I wanted to   for those depositions? Yes.  Brian Toohey, a retired Jones Day partner, is in solo
              make her seem like an [vulgarity].”  Pretty damning (not a vulgarity) stuff.  practice, representing law firms and lawyers. Brian
              Regarding the aborted deposition, Moody   Moody justified his misdeeds, labelling them   also edits “Ohio Legal Ethics Law Under the Rules of
            explains:                          “puffing,” asserting unrecorded exculpatory   Professional Conduct” (Copyright 2019 Jones Day),
             “That’s why I did her like I did her. Because I   statements to Barrios and blaming scheduling   authored by Marc Swartzbaugh and Professor Arthur
              made that                        problems  on  transitioning  from  a  brick-and-  Greenbaum, and available at http://kb.osu.edu/
              [vulgarity] fly into town. And they were   mortar office to a virtual one, with law-related   handle/1811/61287.He has been a CMBA member
            calling me and [vulgarity]. I was like, oh, I’ve   communications kept only on his cell phone.  since 1980. Brian can be reached at (216) 496-4363
            been there. And I was in court, too.  The Board found Moody’s explanations not   or bftoohey@gmail.com.




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            february 2019                                                              Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal  | 33
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