State ex rel. Conkle v. Sadler

{¶ 1} In July 2001, Applied Performance Technologies, Inc. (“APT”) filed a complaint in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. APT claimed that appellant Eric Conkle, a former employee, had breached a noncompetition agreement. APT sought damages and injunctive relief against Conkle. Conkle retained the law firm of Ferron & Associates, L.P.A., and appellant attorney John W. Ferron to represent him in the APT lawsuit. Appellee Judge Lisa L. Sadler, then with the common pleas court,1 was assigned to preside over the case.

{¶ 2} On July 30, 2001, upon agreement of the parties in the APT case,…