Stay order issued in case against Stone; Eyer plans to continue her law practice
A stay order has been issued in an Ohio Board of Professional Conduct case against Bucyrus attorney Adam Stone.
The order, issued Tuesday, was filed after Stone officially filed an application to resign from the practice of law, according to public records from the board's website.
Bradley J. Martinez, assistant director of attorney services for the Ohio Supreme Court, confirmed in an email that Stone had filed his application with the Office of Attorney Services on Monday. "It is now with Ohio Disciplinary Counsel," Martinez said in his email.
Stone announced his decision to resign last week in response to an inquiry about a complaint pending before the Ohio Disciplinary Counsel. He said the decision was made independently of the filing.
"Having handled and defended the cases that I have over the last 13 years in state and federal courts, all the things that I saw, and the recent passing of my grandfather and father, created a situation in which my mental health needs addressed in an ongoing fashion," he wrote in the statement issued by a family member. "And I am undertaking that process to be better."
The 34-page complaint with the disciplinary counsel alleges that Stone told clients who believed their son had been murdered that the woman they suspected was being investigated by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, was indicted, and was on the brink of being arrested — when in fact, the woman was never investigated by that office or charged. On Oct. 20, a three-judge panel was appointed to hear the case.
Tani Eyer says she will continue her law practice
His former law partner, Tani Eyer, said she learned the details of the allegations against Stone in a newspaper report.
She issued a statement this week, saying she intends to continue in the legal legacy of the Neff Law Firm, which once occupied the building that now houses her practice.
The Neff Law Firm, Ltd. was formed in 1996 when Robert C. Neff, Jr. returned to Bucyrus to join his father in the practice that Robert C. Neff, Sr. established in 1951, she explained.
When Adam Stone began his law practice, he shared office space with the Neff firm.
"Three years ago, I met with Adam Stone and Robert Neff concerning a partnership with Mr. Stone where I would continue my practice and receive client referrals from Attorney Neff upon his retirement," Eyer wrote. "Given my passion for elder law, I saw this as a great opportunity, and I felt honored to continue the Neff legal legacy in this community."
She also shared a statement from Robert C. Neff Jr.
“When Mr. Stone informed me that he planned to talk with Attorney Tani Eyer about joining his practice, I welcomed the opportunity to discuss with Attorney Eyer the prospect for referrals of my clients as I retired," Neff wrote. "I was familiar with Attorney Eyer’s prior work with Crawford County Department of Job and Family Services, and it was my belief then, as it remains today, that she will capably and honorably continue to represent the best interests of my former clients.”
Eyer stressed that Dan and Mindy Straker — the couple named in the complaint — were Stone's clients, not hers.
"I was unaware of the alleged behavior and substance of the allegations until they were published last week," Eyer said. "Like many people, I found the allegations detailed in the disciplinary counsel complaint to be heartbreaking and disturbing. My heart goes out to the Strakers for the pain they have been through.
"If that behavior was a byproduct of mental illness, as has been suggested, I sincerely hope that Adam finds the help that he needs. In addition, I pray that the Strakers find the peace that they deserve."
Eyer said she plans to continue her practice in estate and long-term care planning, asset protection, probate and guardianships at the Neff Law Building as Eyer Law, "and to continue the Neff legal legacy to the very best of my abilities."
"My focus will continue to be on representing the best interests of my clients," she said.
ggoble@gannett.com
419-559-7263
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Stay order issued in Stone case; Eyer plans to continue law practice
