Conduct Board stays suspension for former law director

(WKBN) – The former law director for the city of Campbell and a practicing attorney in Salem will be allowed to continue his practice after the Ohio Supreme Court Board stayed his suspension.

Brian Macala was charged in May 2023 with professional misconduct in connection to two estate cases that were going through probate court. The Board determined that Macala had signed documents without the authorization of a representative and had filed those papers with the court.

The Mahoning County Bar Association, which filed the complaint against Macala, suggested that he receive a one-year, fully stayed suspension. The Court found Macala’s “misguided effort to obtain additional time to provide a complete accounting of the estate’s assets to the probate court” warranted a greater sanction than Macala sought, but less than what the bar association proposed.

Macala had asked for a reprimand.

The Ohio Supreme Court ruled Thursday to reduce the sanction to a six-month stayed suspension and allow Macala to continue to practice law as long as he has no further infractions.

“Moreover, the parties stipulated and the Board found that Macala’s misconduct did not affect the outcome of the probate case or result in any harm to the client or the beneficiaries. While
his conduct fell below the standards we have set for Ohio attorneys, we conclude that it was not as egregious as the misconduct at issue in Niermeyer and Champion (a case referred to as president).

Macala also submitted 34 letters attesting to his good character from judges, attorneys, friends and family members. One panel member described the letters as “some of the best (he had) ever seen.”

Macala talked with WKBN 27 First News about the allegations when they were filed, and he said that his actions were “an attempt to gain time for the administration of the estate.”

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