Cleveland Attorney Indefinitely Suspended
2009-0069. Disciplinary Counsel v. Frost, Slip Opinion No. 2009-Ohio-2870.
On Certified Report by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, No. 07-079. Merrie Maureen Frost, Attorney Registration No. 0059642, is indefinitely suspended from the practice of law in Ohio.
Moyer, C.J., and Pfeifer, Lundberg Stratton, O'Connor, O'Donnell, Lanzinger, and Cupp, JJ., concur.
Opinion: http://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2009/2009-Ohio-2870.pdf 
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(June 24, 2009) The Supreme Court of Ohio has indefinitely suspended the law license of Cleveland attorney Merrie Maurine Frost for multiple disciplinary infractions arising from her filing of false and unsupported accusations of bias and corruption against the Cuyahoga County prosecutor’s office, three local judges and a federal district court judge, and filing of a baseless defamation suit against two attorneys who were her opposing counsel in a sex-discrimination case.
The Court affirmed findings by the Board of Commissioners on Grievances & Discipline that Frost’s actions violated, among others, the state disciplinary rules that require attorneys to maintain a respectful attitude toward the courts and prohibit knowingly making false accusations against a judge; knowingly advancing a claim that is unwarranted under existing law; taking action in a legal matter that would serve merely to harass or maliciously injure another; engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice; and engaging in conduct involving fraud, deceit, dishonesty or misrepresentation.
In adopting the disciplinary board’s recommended sanction of an indefinite license suspension, the Court noted that while attorneys have a constitutionally protected right of free speech, they also have an ethical duty to avoid using legal proceedings as a platform from which to publicly impugn the honesty and integrity of judges and other attorneys without credible supporting evidence as a basis for those claims. In setting conditions for possible reinstatement of Frost’s license after June 24, 2011, the Court ordered that any petition for reinstatement must include a physician’s statement that she is mentally fit to return to the competent, professional and ethical practice of law.
Contacts
Jonathan E. Coughlan: 614.461.0256, for the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
Jacqueline I. Roberts, 440.337.9900, for Merrie M. Frost.