Although an investigation found that former Campbell Law Director Brian Macala forged names on legal documents, the finding won’t keep him from practicing law.

The Supreme Court of Ohio has issued a six-month law license suspension to Macala for professional misconduct related to his private practice. However, the justices placed a stay on that suspension, meaning he can continue his private practice.

The high court found that Macala committed three ethics violations when he forged the signatures of family members who he had been representing in a probate court case.

The justices found that his misconduct was not related to his duties as law director.

The court described Macala’s actions as a “misguided effort to obtain additional time to provide a complete accounting of the estate’s assets to the probate court.”

The Board of Professional Conduct found Macala violated the rule that required he keep his clients reasonably informed about the status of their case and that he made a false statement to the probate court and engaged in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

Although the justices found that Macala acted with a dishonest motive, it also determined that he had a clean disciplinary record, cooperated with the disciplinary investigation, and presented 34 letters from judges, attorneys, and others confirming his good character and reputation.

The Court noted Macala estimated he spent between 75 and 100 hours attempting to locate all the estate assets but did not charge or collect a fee from the family.

The justices concluded that while Macala’s actions did not affect the outcome of the case or harm the family, “his conduct fell below the standards we have set for Ohio attorneys,” and a stay suspension was warranted.

The Court stated that if Macala commits any further misconduct, the stay will be lifted, and he must serve the suspension. The Court also ordered him to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.

Macala, who lost an election bid for Campbell Municipal Judge in November, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after being accused of stealing an election opponent's campaign leaflets from someone's front porch.

The Judge fined Macala $150 and handed down a suspended 30-day sentence.