Foreclosure Contingent Fee Excessive

The Illinois Review Board has found that an attorney charged excessive contingent fees in three mortgage foreclosure matters.

The fees were based on the fair market values of the properties.

The board recommends that the attorney be disbarred:

Respondent engaged in a scheme to take excessive  fees from vulnerable clients. We are troubled by Respondent's repeated efforts  to put his personal financial interests ahead of the interests of his clients.  He converted settlement funds, charged excessive fees, engaged in multiple  conflicts of interest, breached his fiduciary duties and engaged in intentional  dishonesty. Given the nature of his misconduct and the numerous factors in  aggravation, we agree with the Hearing Board's recommendation and we recommend  that Respondent be disbarred.

(Mike Frisch)