The Board of Commissioners of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection (LFCP) reimbursed $80,007.62 to six victims of attorney theft at its meeting on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.  Four former or suspended Ohio attorneys were determined to have engaged in dishonest conduct resulting in financial losses to their clients. One deceased attorney was also involved in a claim presented to the Board of Commissioners.

Fairfield County
A former client of suspended attorney Jeffrey Dwight Hunter was determined to be eligible for reimbursement in the amount of $2,900 as a result of Hunter’s failure to provide the services requested. Hunter’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended for a term beginning on July 9, 2025.

Franklin County
Two former clients of former attorney Elizabeth V. Westfall were determined to be eligible for reimbursement totaling $60,284.50 as a result of Westfall’s misappropriation of client funds. Westfall pled guilty to theft on Sept. 18, 2025, and is awaiting sentencing.  She resigned from the practice of law in Ohio, with discipline pending, on Dec. 12, 2025. 

Hamilton County
A former client of suspended attorney Calvin Sylvester Tregre Jr. was determined to be eligible for reimbursement in the amount of $2,800 as a result of Tregre’s failure to provide the services requested. Tregre’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended for a term beginning on Aug. 23, 2024.

Lake County
Former clients of deceased attorney William Charles Behrens were determined to be eligible for reimbursement of $12,750 as a result of Behrens’s failure to complete the services requested and failure to provide a refund. Behrens passed away on April 19, 2023.

Montgomery County
A former client of suspended attorney Frank Michael Payson was determined to be eligible for reimbursement of $1,273.12 as a result of Payson’s failure to provide the services requested. Payson’s license to practice law in Ohio was suspended on July 12, 2024.

Board determinations become final 30 days after the determination unless parties request reconsideration. If reconsideration is granted, the claim will be reviewed by the Board at its next scheduled meeting.

The Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, formerly known as the Clients’ Security Fund, was created in 1985 by the Supreme Court of Ohio to reimburse victims of attorney theft, embezzlement, or misappropriation. The LFCP is not taxpayer funded but funded by registration fees paid by every Ohio attorney. Ohio has over 45,000 attorneys engaged in
The active practice of law. Less than 1% of those attorneys is involved in claims reimbursed by the LFCP.

Law clients who believe they have sustained financial losses resulting from attorney theft, embezzlement or misappropriation should contact the LFCP by calling 614.387.9390 or 1.800.231.1680 toll free in Ohio.